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THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINLANA 

PRESENTED  BY 

Herbert  W.  Jackson 


CB 
Jl3cl.l 


^!5I¥ 


IN  THE  SOUTH  IT'S 

HARMANSON' 

ROYAL  ST. 
NEW  ORLEANS 


KjAiJ:£ 


V-'JSSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL 


HILL 


^  o^ 


00032195883 

This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


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X  re  sident  of  the 
nSTLTED-STATES  OP  AMERICA. 

\'a'.-  YorTc.  FicbltsTied- .  7^y  Header  £■  Brolhars.  783*. 


LIFE 


OF 


ANDREW    JACKSON, 


PRESIDENT    OF   THE 
UNITED   STATES   OF  AMERICA. 


BY  WILLIAM  COBBETT,  M.P 

FOR      OLDHAM. 


NEW-YORK: 

HARPER  <k  BROTHERS— 82  CLIFF- S  TREET. 

I  S36. 


DEDICATION 


TO    THE 


WORKING  PEOPLE  OF  IRELAND. 


My  Friends, 
Ever  since  I  became  acquainted  with  the  nature 
and  extent  of  the  ill-treatment  of  the  people  of  Ire- 
land, I  have  availed  myself  of  every  opportunity  to  en- 
deavour to  show  that  I  held  their  persecutors  in  ab- 
horrence. I  now  dedicate  to  you  a  history  of  the  life 
of  the  bravest  and  greatest  man  now  living  in  this 
world,  or  that  ever  has  lived  in  this  world,  as  far  as 
my  knowledge  extends.  It  has  given  me  pleasure, 
which  I  cannot  describe,  to  find  that  this  famous 
man  sprang  from  poor  emigrant  Irish  parents  ;  and 
that  he  was  born  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
two  years  after  the  landing  of  his  parents.  You 
will  read,  with  uncommon  interest,  the  clear  proof  of 
his  having  been  urged  on  to  perform  the  wonderful 
acts  of  his  life  by  his  recollection  of  the  ill-treat- 
ment of  his  parents  in  their  native  land.  For  more 
than  two  hundred  years,  the  laborious  Irish  people 
were  scourged  because,  and  only  because,  they 
would  not  apostatize  from  the  religion  of  their 
^ijj  fathers  ;  and  even  unto  this  day  every  effort  is  made 


IV  DEDICATION. 

to  keep  them  down,  and  to  represent  them  as  an  in- 
ferior race  of  men.  It  is,  therefore,  in  the  name  of 
truth  and  of  justice  that  I  send  this  book  forth  among 
the  people  of  this  whole  kingdom,  to  prove  to  them 
that  this  ill-treated  Ireland,  this  trampled-upon  Ire- 
land, has  produced  the  greatest  soldier  and  the 
greatest  statesman  whose  name  has  ever  yet  ap- 
peared upon  the  records  of  valour  and  of  wisdom. 
According  to  all  the  laws  of  all  nations,  a  man, 
though  born  in  a  foreign  country,  if  born  of  parents 
natives  of  another  country,  is  a  native  of  the  country 
to  which  the  parents  belong.  Thus  this  famous 
man  is  an  Irishman ;  and  I  beseech  you  to  look  at 
his  deeds,  and  to  applaud  that  just  Providence 
which  has  made  him  an  instrument,  though  in  a 
manner  so  indirect,  of  assisting  to  avenge  the  mani- 
fold wrongs  of  ill-treated  Ireland, 
lam. 

Your  faithful  friend, 

A.nd  most  obedient  servant, 

William  Cobbett, 
Bolt-court,  27th  March,  1834. 


PREFACE. 


Among  all  the  duties  of  men  who  meddle  with 
puolic  affairs,  and  who  have  any  portion  of  the  press 
at  their  command,  no  one  is  more  obligatory  upon 
them  than  that  of  endeavouring,  by  all  the  means 
that  they  have  in  their  power,  to  do  justice  to  the 
character  and  conduct  of  those  who,  during  their 
own  time  especially,  have  rendered  eminent  ser- 
vices in  the  cause  of  public  justice  and  public 
liberty  ;  and  among  all  the  men  who  have  distin- 
guished themselves  in  this  way  in  the  present  age, 
I  know  of  no  one  who  can  challenge  any  thing  like 
an  equality  with  him  whose  life  and  actions  are  the 
subject  of  the  following  pages. 

There  may  have  been  men  placed  in  situations  as 
difficult  and  as  dangerous  as  those  in  which  he  has 
been  placed.  There  may  have  been  men  who  have 
shown  courage,  fortitude,  perseverance,  and  resolu- 
tion, equal  to  those  shown  by  him.  This  may  be  ; 
but,  at  the  end  of  pretty  nearly  seventy  years  of 
observing  of  hearing,  and  of  reading,  I  declare 
most  explicitly,  I  have  nev^er  seen,  never  heard  of, 
and  never  read  of,  any  man  equal  to  the  President 
in   these   prime   and    admirable    qualities.      These 

A  2 


VI  PREFACE. 

pages  trace  him  from  the  spade  and  the  plough  ^o 
the  musket  carried  against  invaders,  aiming  at  the 
destruction  of  the  hberties  of  his  country  ;  from  the 
musket  they  take  him  back  to  his  books  ;  then  take 
him  to  the  bar  ;  then  place  him  on  the  bench  ;  then 
send  him  to  the  senate  ;  afterward  lead  us  to  see 
him  on  his  farm,  whence,  when  another  invasion  of 
his  country  took  place,  they  show* him  quitting  his 
beloved  fields,  again  rushing  to  meet  hostile  foes  ; 
and,  having  delivered  his  country  of  those  foes,  we 
are  led  with  him  back  again  to  his  farm,  whence  he 
is  again  called,  to  take  upon  him  the  chief  magis- 
tracy of  a  great  and  opulent  and  a  free  country,  and 
that,  too,  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  millions  of 
freemen. 

Thus  honoured,  thus  confided  in,  thus  placed  in 
a  more  honourable  situation  than  any  other  man 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  we  see  him  acting  a 
part  worthy  of  his  high  station.  The  angry,  the 
bitter,  the  implacable,  the  heretofore-deemed-all- 
powerful  British  government,  he  had  repulsed  ;  he 
had  humbled  ;  the  savage  tribes,  the  cannibal  foes 
of  his  country,  he  had  scourged  with  rods  of  scor- 
pions ;  if  he  had  not  tamed  them  into  humanity,  he 
had  made  fear  sheathe  their  hatchets  and  iheir 
scalping-knives  :  but,  in  his  capacity  of  chief  magis- 
trate, in  his  capacity  of  chief  guardian  of  the  civil 
and  political  rights,  and  of  the  property  and  lives  of 
his  countrymen,  he  had  to  deal  with  a  monster  more 
formidable,  and  more  destructive  to  the  people, 
than  either  the  British  or  the  savages  :  a  monster 
perfectly  insatiable ;   hypocritical  as  the   crocodile, 


PREFACE.  Vll 

delusive  as  the  syren,  and  deadly  as  the  rattle- 
snake itself.  The  monster  of  paper-money  he  has 
now  to  encounter.  This  is  his  last  great  labour ; 
if  this  monster  fall  beneath*7lfTn,  no  pen,  no  tongue, 
no  vehicle  of  praise  can  ever  render  justice  to  his 
name.  Some  poet  has  said,  that  the  grandest  spec- 
tacle that  the  human  mind  can  conceive  is,  "  a  great 
man  struggling  with  the  storms  of  fate."  It  is  a 
greater  still  to  see  a  great  man  struggling — to  see 
the  greatest  of  men  now  alive  struggling  with  the 
most  cruel  and  destructive  monster  that  ever  the 
Almighty,  in  his  just  displeasure,  permitted  to  be 
the  scouro;e  of  offending  nations. 

It  is  with  no  small  delight  that  I  see,  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages,  proofs  undeniable  of  the  superiority 
of  nature  over  art,  of  genius  over  rank  and  over 
riches :  it  is  with  pride,  and  with  just  pride  I  trust, 
that  I  behold  all  that  is  great  in  the  character  of 
man  springing  out  of  the  humble  homestead  ;  but  it 
is  with  still  greater  and  with  inexpressible  delight, 
that  I  see  it  spring  from  poor  IRISH  EMIGRANT 
PARENTS,  driven  from  their  native  land  by  its 
inexorable  oppressors.  Ah !  God  is  just,  in  spite 
of  our  ungrateful  impatience.  No  man  living  ever 
did  so  much  to  humble  England  as  Andrkvv  Jack- 
son ;  and  these  pages  will  show  us  how  his  zeal 
was  sharpened,  how  his  anger  was  pointed,  by  the 
lessons  taught  him  by  his  ill-treated  parents,  and  by 
the  cruelty  and  insolence  which  he  had  to  endure 
from  the  same  source.  Arrogance  and  injustice, 
when  associated  with  power,  never  listen  to  reason 
or  remonstrance  as  long  as  tlie  power  lasts.     If 


Viii  PREFACE. 


they  were  capable  of  listening,  I  would  bid  the  op- 
pressors of  the  poor  people  of  Ireland  to  read  these 
pages  ;  and  to  remember  that  the  country  which 
produced  Andrew  Jackson  still  retains  the  faculty 
of  giving  life  to  other  such  men. 

Wm.   Cobbett. 
Boll-court,  London,  27lh  March,  1834. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  I. 

FROM  1767  TO  1812. 

1767.  His  birth  and  parentage — 1781 .  Enters  the  American  revo- 
lutionary army — Cruelty  of  a  British  officer — Death  of  his 
brother  and  mother — His  sufferings — 1784.  Studies  the  law  in 
North  Carohna— Continues  there  till  1788—1788.  Settles  in 
Tennessee  as  a  barrister — Distinguishes  himself  in  fighting 
the  Indians — 1796.  Chosen  a  member  of  the  Tennessee  con- 
vention— Elected  a  member  of  congress— 1797.  Chosen  a 
senator  of  the  congress — 1798.  Made  major-general  of  Ten- 
nessee— Resigns  his  seat  in  the  senate — 1799.  Appointed  a 
judge  of  the  supreme  court — Soon  resigns  and  retires  to  his 
farm,  where  he  remains  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  in 
1812,  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  -  Page  13 

CHAPTER  H. 

PROM   THE   BEGINNING   OF   1812,   TO  THE   MONTH  OF   M.iY   OF 
THAT    YEAR. 

He  was  roused  from  his  retirement  by  the  war  with  Great  Britain 
— Assembles  2500  volunteers — Descends  the  Mississippi  300 
miles — Encamps  near  the  Natches,  to  be  ready  to  defend  that 
part  of  the  country  from  invaders — The  danger  of  invasion  ap- 
pears to  be  removed— Is  ordered  to  give  up  his  stores  to  the 
regular  army  stationed  there — Refuses  to  comply  with  the 
order — Fulfils  his  compact  with  his  volunteers,  by  taking  them 
back  safely  to  their  own  homes 23 

CHAPTER  HI. 

FROM    MAY,  1813,  TO   APRIL,  1814. 

His  Indian  campaign — Battle  after  battle — Discontent  in  his 
army  after  discontent — Proof  after  proof  of  fortitude  and 
resolution,  each  meriting  the  admiration  of  all  mankind  -    31 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

FROM    APRIL,    1814,    TO   DECEMBER,    1814. 

Perfidious  conduct  of  the  Spanish  governor  of  Pensacola— 
Jackson's  remonstrance — Nicholls's  proclamation — Defeat  of 
the  British  at  Fort  Bowyer,  bj"  Major  Lawrence — Reduction 
of  Pensacola,  and  retreat  of  the  British — Jackson's  arrival  at 
New-Orleans — Preparations  made  by  the  British  for  the  re- 
duction of  New-Orleans ---85 

CHAPTER  V. 

FROM   THE    1st    OF    PECEMBER,    1814,   TO    MARCH,    1815. 

Defence  of  New-Orleans — Jackson  is  beset  with  traitors  and 
spies — Arms  not  sent  to  him — Enemy  lands  on  the  23d  De 
cember — He  marches  in  the  nisfht  and  drives  them  back — 
Divers  smaller  engagements — The  traitors  in  the  assembly 
and  in  the  town  conspire  against  him — Defeats  the  British 
with  great  slaughter,  8th  January — Drives  them  out  of  the 
country — His  farewell  address  to  his  army — The  sneaking 
account  given  by  the  British  government  of  this  important 
transaction 91 

CHAPTER  VI. 

FROM    MARCH,   1815,  TO  FEBRUARY,    1834. 

Becomes  a  senator  in. the  congress  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
state  of  Tennessee — Is  a  candidate  for  the  presidentship,  1824— 
Has  the  greatest  number  of  votes,  but  is  kept  out  by  a  trick  ot 
Clay  and  Crawford— Is  chosen  president  in  1829 — Declares 
against  a  renewal  of  the  bank  charter — Puts  his  veto  on  a  bill  to 
renew  the  charter  of  the  bank — The  bank  forms  a  conspiracy 
agednst  his  re-election — He  is  re-elected  in  the  fall  of  1832 — He 
denounces  the  bank,  exposes  its  corruption  and  briber)',  takes 
the  deposites  from  the  bank,  and  places  them  in  the  state 
banks — Publishes  his  reasons  for  doing  this — Person  and 
character     -    -  159 


THE   LIFE 


CF 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


THE   LIFE 


OF 


ANDREW   JACKSON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FROM   1767  TO  1812. 


.  767.  His  birth  and  parentage — 1781 .  Enters  the  American  revo- 
lutionary army — Cruelty  of  a  British  officer — Death  of  his 
brother  and  mother — His  sufferings — 1784.  Studies  the  law  in 
North  Caroima— Continues  there  till  1788—1788.  Settles  in 
Tennessee  as  a  barrister— Distinguishes  himself  in  fighting 
the  Indians — 1796.  Chosen  a  member  of  the  Tennessee  con- 
vention— Elected  a  member  of  congress — 1797.  Chosen  a 
senator  of  the  congress — 1798.  Made  major-general  of  Ten- 
nessee— Resigns  his  seat  in  the  senate — 1799.  Appointed  a 
judge  of  the  supreme  court — Soon  resigns  and  retires  to  his 
farm,  where  he  remains  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  in 
1812,  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain. 

1,  Andrew  Jackson  was  born  on  the  15th  day  of 
March,  1767.  His  father  (Andrew),  the  young-est 
son  of  his  family,  emigrated  to  America  from  Ire- 
land during  the  year  1765,  bringing-  with  him  two 
sons,  Hugh  and  Robert,  both  very  young.  Landing 
at  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  he  shortly  after- 
ward purchased  a  tract  of  land,  in  what  was  then 
called  the  Waxsaw  settlement,  about  forty-five  miles 
above  Camden ;  at  which  place  the  subject  of  this 
history  was  born.     Shortly  after  his  birth,  his  father 

B 


14  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

died,  leaving  three  sons  to  be  provided  for  by  their 
mother.  She  appears  to  have  been  an  exemplary 
woman,  and  to  have  executed  the  arduous  duties 
which  had  devolved  on  her  with  great  faithfulness 
and  with  much  success.  To  the  lessons  she  incul- 
cated on  the  youthful  minds  of  her  sons  was,  no 
doubt,  owing,  in  a  great  measure,  that  fixed  opposi- 
tion to  British  tyranny  and  oppression  which  after- 
ward so  much  distinguished  them.  Often  would 
she  spend  the  winter's  evenings  in  recounting  to 
them  the  sufferings  of  their  grandfather  at  the  siege 
of  Carrickfergus,  and  the  oppressions  exercised  by 
the  nobility  of  Ireland  over  the  labouring  poor ; 
impressing  it  upon  them  as  a  first  duty,  to  expend 
their  lives,  if  it  should  become  necessary,  in  defend- 
ing and  supporting  the  natural  rights  of  man. 

2.  Inheriting  but  a  small  patrimony  from  their 
father,  it  was  impossible  that  all  the  sons  could  re- 
ceive an  expensive  education.  The  two  eldest  were 
therefore  only  taught  the  rudiments  of  their  mother 
tongue,  at  ^  common  country  school.  But  Andrew, 
being  intended  by  his  mother  for  the  ministry,  was 
sent  to  a  flourishing  academy  at  the  Waxsaw  meet- 
ing-house, superintended  by  Mr.  Humphries.  Here 
he  was  placed  on  the  study  of  the  dead  languages, 
and  continued  until  the  revolutionary  war,  extending 
its  ravages  into  that  section  of  South  Carolina 
where  he  then  was,  rendered  it  necessary  that  every 
one  should  betake  himself  to  the  American  standard, 
seek  protection  with  the  enemy,  or  flee  his  country, 
It  was  not  an  alternative  that  admitted  of  a  tedious 
deliberation.  The  natural  ardour  of  his  temper, 
deriving  encouragement  from  the  recommendations 
of  his  mother,  whose  feelings  were  not  less  alive  on 
the  occasion  than  his  own,  and  excited  by  those 
sentiments  in  favour  of  liberty  with  which,  by  her 
conversation,  his  mind  had  been  early  endued, 
quickly  determined  him  in  the  course  to  be  pursued  ; 
and  at  the  tender  age  of  fourteen,  accompanied  bv 


I.]  ENTERS    THE    REVOLUTIONARY    ARMY.  15 

his  brother  Robert,  he  hastened  to  the  American 
camp,  and  engaged  actively  in  the  service  of  his 
country.  His  oldest  brother,  who  had  previously 
joined  the  army,  had  lost  his  life  at  the  battle  of 
Stono,  from  the  excessive  heat  of  the  weather  and 
the  fatigues  of  the  day, 

3.  Both  Andrew  and  Robert  were  at  this  period 
pretty  well  acquainted  with  the  manual  exercise, 
and  had  some  idea  of  the  diiferent  evolutions  of  the 
field,  having  been  indulged  by  their  mother  in  at- 
tending the  drill  and  general  musters  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood. 

4.  The  Americans,  being  unequal,  as  well  from  the 
inferiority  of  their  numbers  as  their  discipline,  to 
engage  the  British  army  in  battle,  had  retired  before 
it  into  the  interior  of  North  Carolina ;  but  when 
they  learned  that  Lord  Cornwallis  had  crossed  the 
Yadkin,  they  returned  in  small  detachments  to  their 
native  state.  On  their  arrival  they  found  Lord  Raw- 
don  in  possession  of  Camden,  and  the  whole  coun- 
try around  in  a  state  of  desolation.  The  British 
commander  being  advised  of  the  return  of  the 
settlers  of  Waxsaw,  Major  Coffin  was  immediately 
despatched  thither  with  a  corps  of  light  dragoons, 
a  company  of  infantry,  and  a  considerable  number 
of  tories,  for  their  capture  and  destruction.  Hear- 
ing of  their  approach,  the  settlers  without  delaj''  ap- 
pointed the  Waxsaw  m.eeting-house  as  a  place  of 
rendezvous,  that  they  might  the  better  collect  their 
scattered  strength,  and  concert  some  system  of 
operations.  About  forty  of  them  had  accordingly 
assembled  at  this  poinf,  when  the  enemy  approached, 
keeping  the  tories,  who  were  dressed  in  the  common 
garb  of  the  country,  in  front,  whereby  this  little  band 
of  patriots  were  completely  deceived,  having  taken 
them  for  Captain  Nisbet's  company,  in  expectation 
of  which  they  had  been  waiting.  Eleven  of  them 
were  taken  prisoners  ;  the  rest  with  difficulty  fled, 
scattering  and  betaking  themselves  to  the  woods  for 


16  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

concealment.  Of  those  who  thus  escaped,  though 
closely  pursued,  were  Andrew  Jackson  and  his 
brother,  who,  entering  a  secret  bend  in  a  creek  that 
was  close  at  hand,  obtained  a  momentary  respite 
from  danger,  and  avoided,  for  the  night,  the  pursuit  of 
the  enemy.  The  next  day,  however,  having  gone 
to  a  neighbouring  house  for  the  purpose  of  procur- 
ing something  to  eat,  they  were  broken  in  upon,  and 
made  prisoners,  by  CofRn's  dragoons  and  a  party  of 
tories  who  accompanied  them.  Those  young  men, 
with  a  view  to  security,  had  placed  their  horses  in 
the  wood,  on  the  margin  of  a  small  creek,  and  posted 
on  the  road  which  led  by  the  house  a  sentinel,  that 
they  might  have  information  of  any  approach,  and 
in  time  to  be  able  to  elude  it.  But  the  tories,  who 
were  well  acquainted  with  the  country  and  the 
passes  through  the  forest,  had  unfortunately  passed 
the  creek  at  the  very  point  where  the  horses  and 
baggage  of  our  young  soldiers  were  deposited,  and 
taken  possession  of  them.  Having  done  this,  they 
approachec^  cautiously  the  house,  and  were  almost 
at  the  door  before  they  were  discovered.  To  escape 
was  impossible,  and  both  were  made  prisoners. 
Being  placed  under  guard,  Andrew  was  ordered,  in  a 
very  imperious  tone,  by  a  British  officer,  to  clean  his 
boots,  which  had  become  muddied  in  crossing  the 
creek.  This  order  he  positively  and  peremptorily 
refused  to  obey  ;  alleging  that  he  looked  for  such 
treatment  as  a  prisoner  of  war  had  a  right  to 
expect.  Incensed  at  his  refusal,  the  officer  aimed  a 
blow  at  his  head  with  a  drawn  sword,  which  would 
very  probably  have  terminated  his  existence  had  he 
not  parried  its  effects  by  throwing  up  his  left  hand,  on 
which  he  received  a  severe  wound,  the  mark  of 
which  he  bears  to  this  hour.  His  brother,  at  the 
same  time,  for  a  similar  offence,  received  a  deep  cut 
on  the  head,  which  subsequently  occasioned  his 
death.  They  were  both  now  taken  to  jail,  where, 
separated  and   confined,  they  were  treated  with 


I.]    DEATH  OF  HIS  BROTHER  AND  MOTHER.   17 

marked  severity,  until  a  few  days  after  the  battle  be- 
fore Camden,  when,  in  consequence  of  a  partial  ex- 
change, effected  by  the  intercessions  and  exertions 
of  their  mother,  and  Captain  Walker  of  the  militia, 
they  were  both  released  fro-m  confinement.  Cap- 
tain Walker  had,  in  a  chaige  on  the  rear  of  the 
British  army,  succeeded  in  making  thirteen  prisoners, 
whom  he  gave  in  exchange  for  seven  Americans,  of 
which  number  were  these  two  young  men.  Robert, 
duringhis  confinement  in  prison,  had  suffered  greatly, 
the  wound  on  his  head,  all  this  time  having  never 
been  dressed,  was  followed  by  an  inflammation  of 
the  brain,  which,  in  a  few  days  after  his  liberation, 
brought  him  to  his  grave.  To  add  to  the  affliction 
of  Andrew,  his  mother,  worn  down  by  grief  and  her 
incessant  exertions  to  provide  clothing  and  other 
comforts  for  the  suffering  prisoners  who  had  been 
taken  from  her  neighbourhood,  expired  in  a  few 
weeks  after  her  son,  near  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Charleston.  Andrew,  the  last  and 
only  surviving  child,  confined  to  a  bed  of  sickness, 
occasioned  by  the  sufferings  he  had  been  compelled 
to  undergo  while  a  prisoner,  and  by  getting  wet  on 
his  return  from  captivity,  was  thus  left  in  the  wide 
world  without  a  human  being  with  whom  he  could 
claim  near  relationship.  The  small-pox,  about  the 
same  time  having  made  its  appearance  upon  him,  had 
well-nigh  terminated  his  sorrows  and  his  existence. 
5.  Having  at  length  recovered  from  his  compli- 
cated afflictions,  he  entered  upon  the  enjoyment  of 
his  estate,  which,  although  small,  w^ould  have  been 
sufficient,  under  prudent  management,  to  have  com- 
pleted his  education  on  the  liberal  scale  which  his 
mother  had  designed.  Unfortunately,  however,  he, 
like  too  many  young  men,  sacrificing  future  pros- 
pects to  present  gratification,  expended  it  with 
rather  too  profuse  a  hand.  Coming,  at  length,  to 
foresee  that  he  should  be  finally  obliged  to  rely  on 
his  own  exertions  for  support  and  success  in  life,  he 

B  2 


1 


18  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CH\r. 

again  betook  himself  to  his  studies  with  increased 
industry.  He  recommenced  under  Mr.  M'Culloch, 
in  that  part  of  Carolina  which  was  then  called  the 
New  Acquisition,  near  Hill's  iron  works.  Here  he 
studied  the  languages,  devoting  a  portion  of  his 
time  to  a  desultory  course  of  studies. 

6.  His  education  being  now  completed,  so  far  as 
his  wasted  patrimony  and  the  limited  opportunities 
then  afforded  in  that  section  of  the  country  would 
permit,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  acquiring  a  profession,  and  preparing  himself 
to  enter  on  the  busy  scenes  of  life.  The  pulpit,  for 
■which  he  had  been  designed  by  his  mother,  was 
now  abandoned  for  the  bar ;  and,  in  the  winter  of 
1784,  he  repaired  to  Salisbury,  in  North  Carolina, 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law,  under  Spruce 
M'Cay,  Esq.,  afterward  one  of  the  judges  of  that 
state,  and  subsequently  continued  it  under  Colonel 
John  Stokes.  Having  remained  at  Salisbury  until 
the  winter  of  1786,  he  obtained  a  license  from  the 
judges  to  'practise  law,  and  continued  in  the  state 
until  the  spring  of  1788. 

7.  The  observations  he  was  enabled,  during  this 
time,  to  make  satisfied  him  that  this  state  presented 
few  inducements  to  a  young  attorney  ;  and  recol- 
lecting that  he  stood  a  solitary  individual  in  life, 
without  relations  to  aid  him  in  the  onset,  when  in 
numerable  difficulties  arise  and  retard  success,  he 
determined  to  seek  a  new  country.  But  for  this 
he  might  have  again  returned  to  his  native  state; 
the  death,  however,  of  every  relation  he  had  had 
wiped  away  all  those  endearing  recollections  and 
circumstances  which  warp  the  mind  to  the  place  of 
its  nativity.  The  western  parts  of  the  state  of 
Tennessee  were,  about  this  time,  often  spoken  of 
as  presenting  flattering  prospects  to  adventurers. 
He  immediately  determined  to  accompany  Judge 
M'Nairy  thither,  who  had  been  appointed,  and  was 
going  out,  to  hold  the  first  supreme  court  that  had 


I.]  SETTLES    AT    NASHVILLE.  19 

ever  sat  in  the  state.  Having  reached  the  Holston, 
they  ascertained  it  would  be  impossible  to  arrive  at 
the  time  appointed  for  the  session  of  the  court ; 
and  therefore  determined  to  remain  in  that  section 
of  the  country  until  fall.  They  recommenced  their 
journey  in  October,  and  passing-  through  an  exten- 
sive uninhabited  country,  reached  Nashville  in  the 
same  month.  It  had  not  been  Jackson's  intention 
certainly  to  make  Tennessee  the  place  of  his  future 
residence ;  his  visit  was  merely  experimental,  and 
his  stay  remained  to  be  determined  by  the  advan- 
tages that  might  be  disclosed  :  but  finding,  soon 
after  his  arrival,  that  a  considerable  opening  was 
offered  for  the  success  of  a  young  attorney,  he  de- 
termined to  remain.  To  one  of  refined  feelings,  the 
prospect  before  him  was  certainly  not  of  an  encou- 
raging cast.  As  in  all  newly- settled  countries  must 
be  the  case,  society  was  loosely  formed,  and  united 
by  but  few  of  those  ties  which  have  a  tendency  to 
enforce  the  performance  of  moral  duty  and  the  right 
execution  of  justice.  The  young  men  of  the  place, 
adventurers  from  different  sections  of  the  country, 
had  become  indebted  to  the  merchants ;  there  was 
but  one  lawyer  in  the  country,  and  they  had  so  con- 
trived as  to  retain  him  in  their  business ;  the  conse- 
quence was,  that  the  merchants  were  entirely  de- 
prived of  the  means  of  enforcing  against  those  gen- 
tlemen the  execution  of  their  contracts.  In  this 
state  of  things,  Jackson  made  his  appearance  at 
Nashville,  and,  while  the  creditor  class  looked  to  it 
with  great  satisfaction,  the  debtors  were  sorely  dis- 
pleased. Applications  were  immediately  made  to 
him  for  his  professional  services,  and  on  the  morn- 
ing after  his  arrival  he  issued  seventy  writs.  To 
those  prodigal  gentlemen  it  was  an  alarming  circum- 
stance ;  their  former  security  was  impaired  ;  but  that 
it  might  not  wholly  depart,  they  determined  to  force 
him,  in  some  way  or  other,  to  leave  the  country ; 
and'to  effect  this,  broils  and  quarrels  with  him  were 


20  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

to  be  resorted  to.  This,  however,  was  soon  aban- 
doned ;  satisfied,  by  the  first  controversy  in  which 
they  had  involved  him,  that  his  decision  and  firm- 
ness were  such  as  to  leave  no  hope  of  effecting  any 
thing  through  this  channel.  Disregarding  the  oppo- 
sition raised  to  him,  he  continued,  with  care  and 
industry,  to  press  forward  in  his  professional  course  ; 
and  his  attention  soon  brought  him  forward,  and 
introduced  him  to  a  profitable  practice.  Shortly 
afterward,  he  was  appointed  attorney-general  for 
the  district,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  to  act 
for  several  years. 

8.  Indian  depredations  being  then  frequent  on  the 
Cumberland,  every  man,  of  necessity,  became  a 
soldier.  Unassisted  by  the  government,  the  settlers 
were  forced  to  rely  for  security  on  their  own  bravery 
and  exertions.  Although  young,  no  person  was 
more  distinguished  than  Andrew  Jackson  in  defend- 
ing the  country  against  these  predatory  incursions 
of  the  savages,  who  continually  harassed  the  fron- 
tiers, and  not  unfrequently  approached  the  heart 
of  the  settlements,  which  were  thin,  but  not  widely 
extended.  He  aided  alike  in  garrisoning  the  forts, 
and  in  pursuing  and  chastising  the  enemy. 

9.  In  the  year  1796,  having,  by  his  patriotism, 
firmness,  and  talents,  secured  to  himself  a  distin- 
guished standing  with  all  classes,  he  was  chosen 
one  of  the  members  of  the  convention  for  establish- 
ing a  constitution  for  the  state.  His  good  conduct 
and  zeal  for  the  public  interest,  and  the  republican 
feelings  and  sentiments  which  were  conspicuously 
disc.'osed  in  the  formation  and  arrangement  of  this 
instrument,  brought  him  more  prominently  to  view; 
and,  without  propovsing  or  soliciting,  he  was,  in  the 
same  year,  elected  a  member  of  the  house  of  rep- 
resei  ^ativei,  in  congress,  for  the  state  of  Tennes- 
si'.b.  Ihe  fo  iowmg  year,  his  reputation  continuing 
to  in:^reasj;,  :ind  every  bosom  feeling  a  wish  to  raise 
him   o  still  higher  honours,  he  was  chosen  a  senator 


f.  CHOSEN    MAJOR-GENERAL.  21 

of  the  United  States'  congress,  and  took  his  seat  on 
the  22d  day  of  November,  1797.  About  the  middle 
of  April,  business  of  an  important  and  private  na- 
ture imposed  on  him  the  necessity  of  asking-  leave 
of  absence,  and  returning  home.  Leave  was  granted, 
and,  before  the  next  session,  he  resigned  his  seat. 
He  was  but  a  little  more  than  thirty  years  of  age  ; 
and  hence  scarcely  eligible  by  the  constitution  at 
the  time  he  was  elected.  The  sedition  law,  about 
which  so  much  concern  and  feeling  had  been  mani- 
fested through  the  country,  was  introduced  into  the 
senate  by  Mr.  Lloyd,  of  Maryland,  in  June,  1798, 
and  passed  that  body  on  the  4th  of  July  following ; 
hence  the  name  of  Jackson,  owing  to  the  leave  of 
absence  which  hnd  been  granted  him  in  April,  does 
not  appear  on  the  journals.  On  the  alien  law,  how- 
ever, and  the  effort  to  repeal  the  stamp  act,  he  was 
present,  resting  in  the  minority,  and  on  the  side  of 
the  republican  principles  of  the  country. 

10.  The  state  of  Tennessee,  on  its  admission  into 
the  Union,  comprising  but  one  military  division,  and 
General  Conway,  who  commanded  it  as  major-gen- 
eral, dying  about  this  time,  Jackson,  without  being 
consulted  on  the  subject,  and  without  the  least  inti- 
mation of  what  was  in  agitation,  was,  as  the  consti- 
tution of  the 'state  directs,  chosen  by  the  field-offi- 
cers to  succeed  him  ;  which  appointment  he  contin- 
ued to  hold  until  May,  1814,  when  he  was  constituted 
a  major-general  in  the  United  States'  service. 

11.  Becoming  tired  of  political  life,  for  the  in- 
trigues of  which  he  declared  himself  unqualified,  and 
having  for  two  years  voted  in  the  minority  in  con- 
gress, he  resigned,  after  the  first  session,  his  seat  in 
the  senate.  To  this  measure  he  was  strongly  in- 
duced, from  a  desire  to  make  way  for  General  Smith, 
who,  he  conjectured,  would  in  that  capacity  be  able 
to  render  more  important  services  to  the  government 
than  himself.  His  country,  unwilling  that  his  tal- 
ents should  remain  inactive  and  unemployed,  again 


22  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP, 

demanded  his  services.  Immediately  after  his  re- 
signation, he  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
supreme  court  of  the  state.  Sensibly  alive  to  the 
difficult  duties  of  this  station,  distrusting  his  legal 
acquirements,  and  impressed  with  the  great  injury 
he  might  produce  to  suitors  by  erroneous  decisions, 
he  advanced  to  the  office  with  reluctance,  and  in  a 
short  time  resigned,  leaving  it  open  for  those  who, 
he  believed,  were  better  qualified  than  himself  to 
discharge  its  intricate  and  important  duties.  Unam- 
bitious of  these  distinctions  and  honours,  which 
young  men  are  usually  proud  to  possess,  and  finding 
too  that  his  circumstances  and  condition  in  life  were 
not  such  as  to  permit  his  time  and  attention  to  be 
devoted  to  public  matters,  he  determined  to  yield 
them  into  other  hands,  and  to  devote  himself  to 
agricultural  pursuits  ;  and  accordingly  settled  him- 
self on  an  excellent  farm,  ten  miles  from  Nashville, 
on  the  Cumberland  river  ;  where,  for  several  years, 
he  enjoyed  all  the  comforts  of  domestic  and  social 
intercourse.  Abstracted  from  the  busy  scenes  of 
public  life,  pleased  with  retirement,  surrounded  by 
friends  whom  he  loved,  and  who  entertained  foi 
him  the  highest  veneration  and  respect,  and  blessed 
with  an  amiable  and  obedient  wife,  nothing  seemed 
wanting  to  the  completion  of  that  happiness  which  he 
so  anxiously  desired  while  in  office. 


■\ 


II.  I  "VAR    WITH    GREAT    BRITAIN.  23 


CHAPTER  II. 

FROM  "^HE  BEGINNING  OF  1812,  TO  THE  MONTH  OF  MAY  OF 
THAT  YEAR. 

He  was  roused  from  his  retirement  b}-^  the  war  with  Great  Britain 
— Assembles  2500  volunteers — Descends  the  Mississippi  300 
miles — Encamps  near  the  Natches,  to  be  ready  to  defend  that 
part  of  the  country  from  invaders — The  danger  of  invasion  ap- 
pears to  be  removed — Is  ordered  to  give  up  his  stores  to  the 
Tegular  army  stationed  there — Refuses  to  comply  with  the 
order — Fulfils  his  compact  with  his  volunteers,  by  taking  them 
back  safely  to  their  own  homes. 

12.  The  repose  Of  Jackson,  and  the  pleasures  de- 
rived from  his  farm,  were  now  destined  to  be  aban- 
doned for  the  duties  of  public  life.  After  many  years 
of  negotiation  and  entreaty  with  Great  Britain, — after 
forbearance  such  as  no  country  in  the  world  ever 
showed  before,  the  congress,  unanimously  called 
upon  by  the  sound  people  of  that  country  for  the 
purpose,  declared  war  against  Great  Britain,  on  the 
grounds  clearly  set  forth  in  my  "  History  of  the  Re- 
gency and  Reign  of  George  the  Fourth,''^  and  particii- 
larly  in  the  paragraph  297  of  that  history. 

13.  The  government  of  the  United  States,  during* 
the  same  year  in  which  they  declared  the  war,  made 
preparations  for  calling  out  volunteers  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  country.  Jackson,  then  happy-  on  his 
farm,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Nashville,  which  lies 
about  the  middle  of  the  fine  state  of  Tennessee, 
which  is  bounded  to  the  north  by  Kentucky,  to  the 
east  by  the  Allegany  mountains,  to  t^^e  south  b}^  the 
states  of  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Mississippi,  and  ta 
the  west  by  the  great  river  Mississippi, — Jackson,. 


24  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

happy  on  his  farm,  in  the  midst  of  this  fine  and  flour- 
ishing state,  and  retired,  as  he  apparently  thought, 
for  ever,  from  all  public  affairs,  though  only  forty- 
five  years  of  age, — retired,  as  he  thought,  for  ever, 
was  again  roused  by  the  insults  offered  to  his  coun- 
try, by  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  her  citizens,  and 
by  the  recollection,  no  doubt,  of  the  death  of  his 
mother,  of  the  death  of  his  brother  Robert,  of  the 
cause  of  those  deaths  ;  and,  if  he  could  have  for- 
gotten the  horrid  account  of  the  injuries  inflicted 
upon  the  country  of  his  father  and  his  mother,  there 
was  that  scar  on  his  hand,  inflicted  by  a  British  offi- 
cer, who  had  aimed  a  blow  at  his  life  because  he  had 
refused  to  clean  the  dirt  off  his  boots ;  there  was 
that  scar  to  keep  his  virtuous  resentment  alive,  even 
if  he  could  have  forgotten  the  A\Tongs  of  Ireland, 
and  the  ruin  and  extermination  of  every  relation  in 
the  world. 

14.  Nevertheless,  he  did  not  seek  a  command  in 
the  regular  army  which  was  about  to  be  raised  ;  but 
the  congress,  having  passed  an  act,  in  February,  and 
another  in  July,  1812,  authorizing  the  president  (then 
Madison)  to  accept  of  the  services  of  fifty  thousand 
volunteers,  he  addressed  the  citizens  of  his  division, 
and  twenty-five  hundred  flocked  to  his  standard. 
A  tender  of  them  having  been  made,  and  the  ofifer 
accepted,  in  November,  1812,  he  received  orders  to 
place  himself  at  their  head  and  to  descend  the  Mis- 
sissippi, for  the  defence  of  the  lower  country,  which 
was  then  supposed  to  be  in  danger.  Accordingly, 
on  the  10th  of  December,  1812,  those  troops  rendez- 
voused at  Nashville,  prepared  to  advance  to  the  place 
of  their  destination  ;  and  althoug-h  the  weather  was 
then  excessively  severe,  and  the  ground  covered 
with  snow,  no  troops  could  have  displayed  greater 
firmness.  The  general  was  everywhere  with  them, 
inspiring  them  with  the  ardour  that  animated  his 
own  bosom.  The  cheerful  spirit  with  which  they 
submitted  to  hardships  and  bore  privations,  on  the 


II.]  DISOBEYS    ORDERS.  ^  25 

very  onset  of  their  militarj'^  career,  as  well  as  the 
order  and  subordination  they  so  readily  observed, 
were  happy  presages  of  what  was  to  be  expected 
when  they  should  be  directed  to  face  an  enemy. 

15.  Natches  is  a  town  on  the  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, full  three  hundred  miles  from  Nashville,  and 
about  a  hundred  miles  from  New-Orleans,  which  is 
near  the  mouths  of  the  Mississippi.  Natches  was 
the  place  of  rendezvous.  He  arrived  there  in  the 
month  of  January ;  and,  very  soon  afterward,  there 
took  place  a  transaction  which  gave  the  government 
of  the  United  States  a  specimen  of  that  inflexibility 
of  character  in  him  which  has  since  been  so  fully 
developed,  under  circumstances  of  greater  peril  than 
any  other  man  has  ever  had  to  encounter. 

16.  Having  procured  supplies,  and  made  the  ne- 
cessary arrangements  for  an  active  campaign,  they 
proceeded,  the  7th  of  January,  1813,  on  their  jour- 
ney; and,  descending  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi, 
through  cold  and  ice,  arrived  and  halted  at  Natches. 
Here  Jackson  had  been  instructed  to  remain  until 
he  should  receive  further  orders.  Having  chosen  a 
healthy  site  for  the  encampment  of  his  troops,  he 
devoted  his  time,  with  the  utmost  industry,  to  train- 
ing and  preparing  them  for  active  service.  The 
clouds  of  war,  however,  in  that  quarter,  having  blown 
over,  an  order  was  received  from  the  secretary  of 
war,  dated  the  5th  of  January,  1813,  directing  him, 
on  the  receipt  thereof,  to  dismiss  those  under  his 
command  from  service,  and  to  take  measures  for 
delivering  over  every  article  of  public  property 
in  his  possession  to  Brigadier- general  Wilkinson, 
When  this  order  reached  his  camp,  there  were  one 
hundred  and  fifty  on  the  sick  report,  fifty-six  of  whom 
were  unable  to  raise  their  heads,  and  almost  the 
whole  of  them  destitute  of  the  means  of  defraying 
the  expenses  of  their  return.  The  consequence  of 
a  strict  compliance  with  the  secretary's  order  in- 
evitably would  have  been,  that  manv  of  the  sick  must 

C 


26  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

have  perished,  while  most  of  the  others,  ironi  their 
destitute  condition,  would,  of  necessity,  have  been 
compelled  to  enlist  in  the  regular  army,  under  Gen- 
eral Wilkinson.  Such  -alternatives  were  neither 
congenial  with  their  general's  wishes  nor  such  as 
they  had  expected,  on  adventuring  with  him  in  the 
service  of  their  country  ;  he  had  carried  them  from 
liome,  and,  the  fate  of  war  and  disease  apart,  it  was 
his  duty,  he  believed,  to  bring  them  back.  Whether 
an  expectation  that,  by  this  plan,  many  of  them  would 
be  compelled  into  the  regular  ranks,  had  formed  any 
part  of  the  motive  that  occasioned  the  order  for 
their  discharge  at  so  great  a  distance  from  home, 
cannot  be  known  ;  and  it  would  be  uncharitable  to 
insinuate  against  the  government  so  serious  and  foul 
an  accusation,  without  the  strongest  evidence  to  sup- 
port it.  Be  this  as  it  may,  General  Jackson  could 
not  think  of  sacrificing  or  injuring  an  army  that  had 
shown  such  devotedness  to  their  country ;  and  he 
determined  to  disregard  the  order,  and  march  them 
again  to  their  homes,  where  they  had  been  imbodied, 
rather  than  discharge  them  where  they  would  be  ex- 
posed to  the  greatest  hardships  and  dangers.  To  this 
measure  he  was  prompted,  not  only  by  the  reasons 
already  mentioned,  but  by  the  consideration  that 
many  of  the  troops  under  his  command  were  young 
men,  the  children  of  his  neighbours  and  acquaint- 
ances, who  had  delivered  them  into  his  hands,  as  to  a 
guardian,  who,  with  parental  solicitude,  would  watch 
over  and  protect  their  welfare.  To  have  abandoned 
them,  therefore,  at  such  a  time,  and  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, Avould  have  drawn  on  him  the  merited 
censure  of  the  most  deserving  part  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens, and  sensibly  wounded  his  own  generous  feel- 
ings. Add  to  this,  those  young  men  who  were  con- 
fined by  sickness,  learning  the  nature  of  the  order  he 
had  received,  implored  him,  with  tears  in  their  eyes, 
not  to  abandon  them  in  so  great  an  extremity,  re- 
minding him,  at  the  same  time,  of  his  assurances 


n.J 


RESISTS    THE    GOVERNMENT.  27 


that  he  would  be  to  them  as  a  father,  and  of  the  im- 
phcit  confidence  they  had  placed  in  his  word.  This 
was  an  appeal  which  it  would  have  been  difficult  for 
the  feelings  of  Jackson  to  have  resisted,  had  it  been 
without  the  support  of  other  weighty  considerations ; 
but,  influenced  by  them  all,  he  had  no  hesitation  ia 
coming  to  a  determination. 

17.  Having  made  known  his  resolution  to  the  field- 
officers  of  his  division,  it  met,  apparently,  their  ap- 
probation ;  but,  after  retiring  from  his  presence, 
they  assembled  late  at  night,  in  secret  caucus,  and 
proceeded  to  recommend  to  him  an  abandonment 
of  his  purpose,  and  an  immediate  discharge  of 
his  troops.  Great  as  was  the  astonishment  which 
this  measure  excited  in  the  general,  it  produced  a 
still  higher  sentiment  of  indignation.  In  reply, 
he  urged  the  duplicity  of  their  conduct,  and  re- 
minded them,  that  although  to  those  who  pos- 
sessed funds  and  health  such  a  course  could  pro- 
duce no  inconvenience,  yet  to  the  unfortunate  sol- 
dier, who  was  alike  destitute  of  both,  no  measure 
could  be  more  calamitous.  He  concluded  by  telling 
them  that  his  resolution,  not  having  been  hastily 
concluded  on,  nor  bottomed  on  light  considerations, 
was  unalterably  fixed ;  and  that  immediate  prepara- 
tions must  be  made  for  carrying  into  execution  the 
determination  he  had  formed. 

18.  He  lost  no  time  in  making  known  to  the  sec- 
retary of  war  the  resolution  he  had  adopted,  to  dis- 
regard the  order  he  had  given,  and  to  return  his 
army  to  the  place  where  he  had  received  it.  He 
painted  in  strong  terms  the  evils  which  the  course 
pursued  by  the  government  was  calculated  to  pro- 
duce, and  expressed  the  astonishment  he  felt  that 
it  should  have  originated  with  the  once  redoubted 
advocate  of  soldiers'  rights. 

19.  General  Wilkinson,  to  whom  the  public  prop- 
erty was  directed  to  be  delivered,  learning  the  de- 
termination which  had  been  taken  by  Jackson,  to 


28  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

march  his  troops  back,  and  to  take  with  them  so 
much  of  that  property  as  should  be  necessary  to 
their  return,  in  a  letter  of  solemn  and  mysterious 
import  admonished  him  of  the  consequences  which 
were  before  him,  and  of  the  awful  and  dangerous 
responsibility  he  was  taking  on  himself  by  so  bold  a 
measure.  General  Jackson  replied,  that  his  con- 
duct, and  the  consequences  to  which  it  might  lead, 
had  been  deliberately  weighed  and  well  considered, 
and  that  he  was  prepared  to  abide  the  result,  what- 
ever it  might  be.  Wilkinson  had  previously  given 
orders  to  his  officers  to  recruit  from  Jackson's  army  ; 
they  were  advised,  however,  on  their  first  appear- 
ance, that  those  troops  were  already  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  and  that,  thus  situated,  they 
should  not  be  enlisted ;  and  that  he  would  arrest 
and  confine  the  first  officer  who  dared  to  enter  his 
encampment  with  any  such  object  in  view. 

20.  The  quarter-master,  having  been  ordered  to 
furnish  the  necessary  transportation  for  the  convey- 
ance of  the  sick  and  the  baggage  to  Tennessee,  im- 
mediately set  about  the  performance  of  the  task  ; 
but,  as  the  event  proved,  with  not  the  least  inten- 
tion of  executing  it.  Still,  he  continued  to  keep  up 
the  semblance  of  exertion;  and  the  better  to  deceive, 
the  very  day  before  that  which  had  been  appointed 
for  breaking  up  the  encampment  and  commencing 
the  return  march,  eleven  wagons  arrived  there  by 
his  order.  The  next  morning,  however,  when  every 
thing  was  about  to  be  packed  up,  acting  doubtless 
from  orders,  and  intending  to  produce  embarrass- 
ment, the  quarter-master  entered  the  encampment, 
and  discharged  the  whole.  He  was  grossly  mis- 
taken in  the  man  he  had  to  deal  with,  and  had  now 
played  his  tricks  too  far  to  be  able  to  accomplish 
the  object  which  he  had,  no  doubt,  been  instructed 
to  eflfect.  Disregarding  their  dismissal,  so  evidently 
designed  to  prevent  his  marching  back  his  men, 
General  Jackson  seized    upon  these  wagons,  yei 


n.]  RETURNS    WITH    HIS    VOLUNTEERS.  29 

within  his  lines,  and  compelled  them  to  proceed  to 
the  transportation  of  his  sick.  It  deserves  to  be 
recollected  that  this  quarter-master,  so  soon  as  he 
received  directions  for  furnishing- transportation,  had 
despatched  an  express  to  General  Wilkinson ;  and 
there  can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  the  course  of  du- 
plicity he  afterward  pursued  was  a  concerted  plan 
between  him  and  that  general  to  defeat  the  design 
of  Jackson,  compel  him  to  abandon  the  course  he 
had  adopted,  and  in  this  way  draw  to  the  regular 
army  many  of  the  soldiers,  who,  from  necessity, 
would  be  driven  to  enlist.  In  this  attempt  they 
were  fortunately  disappointed.  Adhering  to  his 
original  purpose,  he  successfully  resisted  every 
stratagem  of  Wilkinson,  and  marched  the  whole  of 
his  division  to  the  section  of  country  whence  they 
had  been  drawn,  and  dismissed  them  from  service, 
as  he  had  been  instructed. 

21.  To  present  an  example  that  might  buoy  up  the 
sinking  spirits  of  his  troops,  in  the  long  and  arduous 
march  before  them,  he  yielded  up  his  horses  to  the 
sick,  and,  trudging  on  foot,  he  encountered  all  the 
hardships  that  were  met  by  the  soldiers.  It  was  at 
a  time  of  year  when  the  roads  were  extremely  bad, 
and  the  swamps  lying  in  their  passage  deep  and 
full ;  yet,  under  these  circumstances,  he  placed  be- 
fore his  troops  an  example  of  patience  and  hardship 
that  lulled  to  silence  all  complaints,  and  won  to  him, 
still  stronger  than  before,  the  esteem  and  respect  of 
every  one.  On  arriving  at  Nashville,  he  communi- 
cated to  the  president  of  the  United  States  the  course 
he  had  pursued,  and  the  reasons  that  had  induced 
it.  If  it  had  become  necessary,  he  had  sufiicient 
grounds  on  which  he  could  have  justified  his  con- 
duct. Had  he  suffered  General  Wilkinson  to  have 
accomplished  what  was  clearly  his  intention,  al- 
though it  was  an  event  which  miglit  at  the  moment 
have  benefited  the  service,  by  adding  an  increased 
strength  to  the  army,  yet  the  example  would  have 

C  2 


30  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

been  of  so  serious  and  exceptionable  a  character,  that 
injury  would  have  been  the  final  and  unavoidable  re- 
sult. Whether  the  intention  of  thus  forcing  these  men 
to  enlist  into  the  regular  ranks  had  its  existence  under 
the  direction  of  the  government  or  not,  such  would 
have  been  the  universal  belief ;  and  all  would  have  felt 
a  deep  abhorrence  at  beholding  the  patriots  of  the 
country  drawn  off  from  their  homes  under  pretence 
of  danger ;  while  the  concealed  design  was,  by  in- 
creasing their  necessities  at  a  distance  from  their 
residence,  to  compel  them  to  an  act  which  they 
would  have  abstained  from  under  different  circum- 
stances. His  conduct,  terrible  as  it  first  appeared, 
was  in  the  end  approved,  and  the  expenses  incurred 
directed  to  be  paid  by  the  government. 

22.  It  may  be  prudent,  and  it  is  doubtless  patri- 
otic, to  smother  this  affair  up  in  this  manner  in  the 
United  States,  and  especially  when  the  writer  is  a 
member  of  the  congress  ;  but  I  have  no  motive  to 
smother  up  a  transaction  so  abominably  unjust. 
The  truth'is,  that  this  odious  attempt  at  a  violation 
of  compact  arose  from  the  dirty  envy  of  General 
Armstrong,  the  secretary  at  war,  of  Wilkinson,  the 
commanding  general,  and  of  all  those  officers  of  the 
United  States'  army  who  had  not  the  courage  to  imi- 
tate, who  had  not  the  skill  and  perseverance  to 
rival,  and  who  had  not  the  honesty  to  acknowledge 
the  superior  merit  of  Jackson.  Every  man  whose 
heart  is  the  seat  of  justice  will  applaud  him  for 
stubbornly  resisting  these  crafty  suggestions  of  envy ; 
and  it  should  be  told  here,  that  Armstrong,  who  gave 
the  order  for  this  act  of  oppression,  was  disgraced 
and  degraded,  not  many  months  afterward,  for  hi.« 
scandalous  neglect  to  prepare  for  the  defence  of  the 
city  of  Washington,  where  he  was  residing ;  and 
that  Wilkinson,  who  was  appointed  to  put  the  order 
into  execution,  and  to  supplant  Jackson,  was  suffi- 
ciently disgraced,  in  less  than  two  years  from  that 
day,  on  the  confines  of  Canada.     But  there  nevei 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  31 

was  a  man  yet,  in  this  world,  whom  every  one  knew 
to  be  full  of  talent,  full  of  zeal,  and  devotedly  disin- 
terested to  the  cause  of  his  country, — there  never 
yet  was  such  a  man  who  was  not  hated  and  con- 
spired against  by  all  the  swarm  of  men  of  small 
merit,  and  especially  by  every  selfish  and  sham 
patriot. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM   MAY,  1813,  TO   APKIL,  1814. 

His  Indian  campaign — Battle  after  battle — Discontent  in  his 
army  after  discontent — Proof  after  proof  of  fortitude  and 
resolution,  each  meriting  the  admiration  of  all  mankind. 

23.  Jackson,  having  taken  his  volunteers  safely 
back  to  their  own  country,  he  discharged  them, 
there  being  little  or  no  expectation  of  their  being 
wanted  again.  It  ought  to  be  observed,  because  it 
will  by-and-by  be  found  to  be  of  great  importance, 
that  these  volunteers  had  been  engaged  to  serve  one 
year  out  of  two,  to  be  computed  from  the  day  of 
rendezvous,  unless  sooner  discharged ;  that  is  to 
say,  they  engaged  to  be  at  the  command  of  the  gov- 
ernment for  the  space  of  two  years  from  the  time 
of  the  first  rendezvous  ;  unless  they  should,  before 
the  end  of  the  two  years,  have  performed  one  year's 
service,  I  beg  the  reader  to  bear  this  in  mind,  for 
he  will,  by-and-by,  find  it  leading  to  perils  such  as 
no  man  but  Jackson  ever  encountered  ;  or,  at  any 
rate,  such  as  no  man  but  Jackson  ever  overcame. 

23.  There  was,  at  this  time  (May,  1813),  no  ap- 
pearance that  British  hostility  would  bear  against 
any  part  of  Louisiana,  in  which  New-Orleans  is 
situated.    But  the  repose  of  Jackson  and  his  vol- 


32  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

unteers  was  not  of  long  duration ;  for  the  savages, 
instigated  by  an  impostor  who  went  among  them, 
calling  himself  a  prophet,  who  gave  them  assurances 
of  the  aid  and  protection  of  Great  Britain,  whose 
power  and  riches  he  represented  as  without  bounds  ; 
the  savages  thus  instigated,  these  wretches,  of  sev- 
eral different  nations,  as  they  are  called,  made  in 
cursions  into  the  states  of  Tennessee,  Kentucky 
and  other  parts,  committing  murders  and  crueltie 
most  horrible  ;  they  slaughtered  women  and  children 
with  the  most  savage  barbarit5^  It  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  punish  these  bloody  monsters  :  and, 
therefore,  first  the  government  of  Tennessee,  and 
afterward  the  general  government,  authorized  war 
and  an  infliction  of  punishment  on  these  monsters; 
and  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  Jackson  to  put  an 
end  to  this  horrible  warfare. 

24.  He  therefore  called  upon  his  volunteers,  who 
had  followed  him  to  the  Natches  in  the  spring  of 
the  year ;  and  he  appointed  the  4th  of  October 
(1813)  for  them  to  meet  him,  armed  and  equipped 
for  active  service.  He  immediately  commenced 
war  upon  these  murderous  savages ;  and  here  I 
must  desire  th^  English  reader  to  prepare  himself 
for  a  series  of  transactions  wholly  incredible,  were 
they  not  attested  by  piles  of  official  documents,  the 
autiienticity  of  which  no  man  can  dispute.  It 
would  be  useful fto  the  English  government,  the 
English  parliament,  and  bands  of  paper-money 
makers,  who  are  looking  to  legal  tender;  it  would 
be  useful  to  them  to  look  minutf  ly  at  the  trans- 
actions of  this  Indian  campaign  ;  (or,  having  looked 
at  them,  they  will  perceive  that  it  is  madness  to  - 
suppose  that  all  the  combinations  of  banks,  and 
bankers,  and  merchants  can  ever  drive  this  brave 
and  inflexibly  virtuous  man  from  his  purpose. 

25.  Before  I  lay  before  the  reader  the  details  of 
this  campaign,  it  will  be  useful  to  give  a  short  de- 
Bcription  of  the  geography  of  the  scene.  The  great 


OI.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  33 

river  Mississippi,  which  comes  down  from  fifteen  or 
sixteen  hmidred  miles,  then  is  joined  by  the  Ohio, 
and  carries  it  along  with  it  five  or  six  hundred  miles, 
down  to  its  mouths,  which  empty  themselves  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico ;  this  great  river  bounds  to  the 
westward  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mis- 
sissippi, and  runs  through  the  state  of  Louisiana. 
The  nations  of  savages,  called  by  various  names. 
Creeks,  Cherokees,  Choctaws,  Chickasaws,  Bayous^ 
and  God  knows  what  besides,  live  in  the  woods  and 
fastnesses  in  these  states,  or  in  those  on  the  west- 
ern side  of  the  Mississippi ;  therefore,  to  leave  the 
people  of  the  United  States  exposed  to  the  toma- 
hawks of  these  bloody  monsters  would  have  been 
scandalous  indeed.  Jackson  was  the  man  chosen 
to  chastise  them ;  and  in  the  wonderful  details 
which  1  am  now  about  to  lay  before  the  reader,  it 
will  be  seen  that  not  another  man  that  we  have 
ever  heard  of  would  have  been  capable  of  perform- 
ing this  duty  with  success ;  and  when  the  reader 
has  gone  through  these  details,  and  has  afterward 
witnessed  the  glorious  defence  of  New-Orleans,  he 
will  still  recur  to  this  Indian  campaign  as  the  most 
glorious  exploit  of  this  wonderful  man  ;  a  campaign 
meriting  greater  praise  than  ten  thousand  lives  like 
that  of  Wellington,  and  yet  a  campaign  which  was 
never  yet  heard  of  in  England  ;  this  country  of 
learning,  of  literature,  of  researches,  and  of  know- 
ledge of  all  sorts  ;  this  country  which  has  poured 
out  travellers  to  penetrate  into  every  part  of  the 
United  States,  but  which  has  never  sent  one  to  dis- 
cover and  send  home  an  account  of  this  campaign. 
With  these  preliminary  remarks  I  enter  upon  the 
details  of  this  campaign.  I  need  not  bespeak  the 
reader's  wonder  and  admiration ;  for  the  man  who 
will  not  admire  here  is  hardly  worthy  of  the  name 
of  man. 

26.  These  multiplied  outrages  at  length  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  general  government,  and  appli^ 


34  LIFE     OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

cation  was  made,  throiig-h  their  ag^ent  (Colonel 
Hawkins),  to  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  nation, 
who,  desirous  of  preserving-  their  friendly  relations 
with  the  United  States,  resolved  to  punish  the  mur- 
derers with  death,  and  immediately  appointed  a 
party  of  warriors  to  carry  their  determination  into 
execution.  No  sooner  was  this  done,  than  the 
spirit  of  the  greater  part  of  the  nation,  which  from 
policy  had  been  kept,  in  a  considerable  degree,  dor- 
mant, suddenly  burst  to  a  flame,  and  kindled  into 
civil  war. 

27.  It  was  not  difficult  for  the  friends  of  those 
murderers  who  had  been  put  to  death,  to  prevail  on 
others,  who  secretly  applauded  the  acts  for  which 
they  suffered,  to  enter  warmly  into  their  resent- 
ments against  those  who  had  been  concerned  in 
bringing  them  to  punishment.  An  occasion,  as 
they  believed,  was  now  presented,  which  fully 
authorized  them  to  throw  aside  all  those  injunc- 
tions of  secrecy,  with  regard  to  their  hostile  inten- 
tions, which  had  been  imposed  on  them  by  Tecum- 
seli  and  their  prophets.  This  restraint,  which 
hitherto  they  had  regarded  with  much  difficulty, 
they  now  resolved  to  lay  aside,  and  to  execute  at 
once  their  insatiate  and  long-projected  vengeance, 
not  only  on  the  white  people,  but  on  those  of  their 
own  nation  who,  by  this  last  act  of  retaliatory 
justice,  had  unequivocally  shown  a  disposition  to 
preserve  their  friendship  with  the  former.  The 
cloak  of  concealment  being  now  thrown  aside,  the 
war-clubs*  were  immediately  seen  in  every  section 
of  the  nation,  but  more  particularly  among  the  nu- 

*  Instruments  used  by  the  Indian  tribes  on  commencing  hos- 
tilities ;  and  v-hich,  when  painted  red,  ihey  consider  a  decla- 
ration of  war.  They  are  formed  of  a  stick,  about  eichteen 
mches  in  length,  with  a  strong-  piece  of  sharp  iron  afTixed  at 
the  end,  and  resemble  a  hatchet.  They  use  them  principally 
in  pursuit,  and  after  they  have  been  able  to  introduce  confusion 
into  the  ranks  of  an  enemy. 


n..J 


INDIAiN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  35 


merous  hordes  residing  near  the  Alnbama.  Bran- 
dishing these  in  their  hands,  they  rushed,  in  the  first 
instance,  on  those  of  their  own  countrymen  who 
had  shown  a  disposition  to  preserve  their  relations 
with  the  United  States,  and  obliged  them  to  retire 
towards  the  white  settlements,  and  place  themselves 
in  forts,  to  escape  the  first  ebullition  of  their  rage. 
Encouraged  by  this  success,  and  their  numbers, 
which  hourly  increased,  and  infatuated  to  the  highest 
degree  by  the  predictions  of  their  prophets,  who  as- 
sured them  that  "  the  Great  Spirit"  was  on  their 
side,  and  would  enable  them  to  triumph  over  all 
their  enemies.,  they  began  to  make  immediate  pre- 
parations for  extending  their  ravages  to  the  white 
settlements.  Fort  Minims,  situated  in  the  Tensaw 
settlement  in  the  Mississippi  territory,  was  the  first 
point  destined  to  satiate  their  cruelty  and  ven- 
geance. It  contained,  at  that  time,  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Beasley,  besides  a  considerable  number  of  women 
and  children,  who  had  betaken  themselves  to  it  for 
security.  Having  collected  a  supply  of  ammunition 
from  the  Spaniards  at  Pensacola,  and  assembled 
their  warriors  to  the  number  of  six  or  seven  hun- 
dred, the  war  party,  commanded  by  Weatherford,  a 
distinguished  chief  of  the  nation,  on  the  30th  of 
August,  1813,  commenced  their  assault  on  the  fort; 
and  having  succeeded  in  carrying  it,  put  to  death 
nearly  three  hundred  persons,  including  women  and 
children,  with  the  most  savage  barbarity.  The 
slaughter  was  indiscriminate  ;  mercy  was  extended 
to  none  ;  and  the  tomahawk,  at  the  same  stroke, 
often  cleft  the  mother  and  the  child.  But  seventeen 
of  the  whole  number  in  the  fort  escaped  to  bring 
intelligence  of  the  dreadful  catastrophe.  This  mon- 
strous and  unprovoked  outrage  no  sooner  reached 
Tennessee  than  the  whole  state  was  thrown  into  a 
ferment,  and  nothing  v/as  thought  or  spoken  of  but 
retahatory  vengeance.      Considerable    excitement 


36  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

had  already  been  produced  by  brutalities  of  earliei 
date,  and  measures  had  been  adopted  by  the  go  vernor, 
in  conformity  with  instructions  from  the  secretary 
of  war,  for  commencing  a  campaign  against  them  •, 
but  the  massacre  at  Fort  Mimms,  which  threatened 
to  be  followed  by  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Mo- 
bile and  Tombigbee  settlements,  inspired  a  deep  and 
universal  sentiment  of  solicitude,  and  an  earnest  wish 
for  speedy  and  effectual  operations.  The  anxiety 
felt  on  the  occasion  was  greatly  increased,  from  an 
apprehension  that  General  Jackson  would  not  be 
able  to  command.  He  was  the  only  man  known  in 
the  state  who  was  believed  qualified  to  discharge 
the  arduous  duties  of  the  station,  and  who  could 
carry  with  him  the  complete  confidence  of  his  sol- 
diers. He  was  at  this  time  seriously  indisposed, 
and  confined  to  his  room  with  a  fractured  arm  ;  but 
although  this  apprehension  was  seriously  indulged, 
arrangements  were  in  progress,  and  measures  in- 
dustriously taken,  to  prepare  and  press  the  expe- 
dition with  every  possible  despatch. 

28.  A  numerous  collection  of  respectable  citizens, 
who  convened  at  Nashville  on  the  1 8th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1813,  for  the  purpose  of  devising  the  most 
effectual  ways  and  means  of  affording  protection  to 
their  brethren  in  distress,  after  conferring  with  the 
governor  and  General  Jackson,  who  was  still  con- 
fined to  his  room,  strongly  advised  the  propriety  of 
marching  a  sufiicient  army  into  the  heart  of  the 
Creek  nation ;  and  accordingly  recommended  this 
measure  with  great  earnestness  to  the  legislature, 
which,  in  a  few  days  afterward,  commenced  its 
session.  That  body,  penetrated  with  the  same  sen- 
timents which  animated  the  whole  country,  imme 
diately  enacted  a  law,  authorizing  the  executive  to 
call  into  the  field  thirty-five  hundred  of  the  militia, 
to  be  marched  against  the  Indians;  and  to  guard 
against  all  difficulties,  in  the  event  the  general 
government  should  omit  to  adopt  them  into  their 


.„.] 


INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  37 


service,  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  were  voted 
for  their  support. 

29.  Additional  reasons  were  at  hand  why  active 
operations  should  be  commenced  with  the  least 
possible  delay.  The  settlers  were  all  fleeing  to  the 
interior,  and  every  day  brought  intelligence  that 
the  Creeks,  collected  in  considerable  force,  were 
bending  their  course  towards  the  frontiers  of  Tennes- 
see. The  governor  now  issued  an  order  to  General 
Jackson,  who,  notwithstanding  the  state  of  his  health, 
had  determined  to  assume  the  command,  requiring 
him  to  call  out,  and  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville,  in  the 
shortest  possible  time,  two  thousand  of  the  militia 
and  volunteers  of  his  division,  to  repel  any  invasion 
that  might  be  contemplated.  Colonel  Coffee,  in 
addition  to  five  hundred  cavalry  already  raised  and 
under  his  command,  was  authorized  and  instructed 
to  organize  and  receive  into  his  regiment  any 
mounted  riflemen  that  might  make  a  tender  of  their 
services. 

30.  Having  received  these  orders,  Jackson  hast- 
ened to  give  them  effect ;  and  with  this  object,  and 
with  a  view  to  greater  expedition,  appealed  to  those 
volunteers  who,  with  him,  had  heretofore  descended 
the  Mississippi  to  Natches.  He  urged  them  to 
appear  at  the  place  designated  for  the  rendezvous 
on  the  4th  of  October,  1813,  equipped  and  armed 
for  active  service.  He  pointed  out  the  im.perious 
necessity  which  demanded  their  services,  and  urged 
them  to  be  punctual ;  for  that  their  frontiers  were 
threatened  with  invasion  by  a  savage  foe.  "  Al- 
ready are  large  bodies  of  the  hostile  Creeks  march- 
ing to  your  borders,  with  their  scalping-knives  un- 
sheathed, to  butcher  your  women  and  children  : 
time  is  not  to  be  lost.  We  must  hasten  to  the 
frontier,  or  we  shall  find  it  drenched  in  the  blood 
of  our  citizens.  The  health  of  your  general  is  re- 
stored— he  will  command  in  person."  In  the  mean 
time  until  this  force  could  be  collected  and  organ- 

D 


38  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

ized,  Colonel  Coffee,  with  the  force  then  imder  his 
command,  and  such  additional  mounted  riflemen  as 
could  be  attached  at  a  short  notice,  was  directed  to 
hasten  forward  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Huntsville, 
and  occupy  some  eligible  position  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontier,  until  the  infantry  should  arrive  ; 
when  it  was  contemplated,  by  the  nearest  possible 
route,  to  press  on  to  Fort  St.  Stephen,  with  a  view 
to  the  protection  and  defence  of  Mississippi. 

31.  Every  exertion  was  now  made  to  hasten  the 
preparations  for  a  vigorous  campaign.  Orders  were 
given  to  the  quarter-master  to  furnish  the  necessary 
munitions,  with  the  proper  transportation ;  and  to 
the  contractors,  to  provide  ample  supplies  of  pro- 
■vwsions.  The  day  of  their  rendezvous  being  ar- 
rived, and  the  general  not  being  sufficiently  recov- 
ered to  attend  in  person,  he  forwarded  by  his  aid- 
de-camp,  ^lajor  Reid,  an  address,  to  be  read  to  the 
troops,  accompanied  by  an  order  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  police  of  the  camp.  In  this  address 
he  pointed  to  the  unprovoked  injuries  that  had 
been  so  long  inflicted  by  this  horde  of  merciless 
and  cruel  savages,  and  entreated  his  soldiers  to 
evince  that  zeal  in  the  defence  of  their  country 
which  the  importance  of  the  moment  so  much  re- 
quired. "  We  are  about  to  furnish  these  savages 
a  lesson  of  admonition ;  we  are  about  to  teach 
them  that  our  long  forbearance  has  not  proceeded 
from  an  insensibility  to  wrongs,  or  an  inability  to 
redress  them.  They  stand  in  need  of  such  warn- 
ing. In  proportion  as  we  have  borne  with  fVieir  in- 
sults and  submitted  to  their  outrages,  they  have 
multiplied  in  number  and  increased  in  atrocity.  But 
the  measure  of  their  off'ences  is  at  length  filled. 
The  blood  of  our  women  and  children,  recently 
spilt  at  Fort  Mimms,  calls  for  our  vengeance ;  it 
must  not  call  in  vain.  Our  borders  must  no  longer 
be  disturbed  by  the  war-whoop  of  these  savages,  and 
the  cries  of  their  suffering  victims.     The  torch  that 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,  1813.  39 

has  been  lighted  up  must  be  made  to  blaze  in  the 
heart  of  their  own  country.  It  is  time  they  should 
be  made  to  feel  the  weight  of  a  power  which,  be- 
cause it  was  merciful,  they  believed  to  be  impotent. 
But  how  shall  a  war  so  long  forborne,  and  so  loudly 
called  for  by  retributive  justice,  be  waged  ]  Shall 
we  imitate  the  example  of  our  enemies,  in  the  dis- 
order of  their  movements  and  the  savageness  of 
their  dispositions  ?  Is  it  worthy  the  character  of 
American  soldiers,  who  take  up  arms  to  redress  the 
wrongs  of  an  injured  country,  to  assume  no  better 
model  than  that  furnished  them  by  barbarians  1  No, 
fellow-soldiers ;  great  as  are  the  grievances  that 
have  called  us  from  our  homes,  we  must  not  permit 
disorderly  passions  to  tarnish  the  reputation  we 
shall  carry  along  with  us :  we  must  and  will  be  vic- 
torious ;  but  we  must  conquer  as  men  who  owe 
nothing  to  chance,  and  who,  in  the  midst  of  victory, 
can  still  be  mindful  of  what  is  due  to  humanity  ! 

32.  "  We  will  commence  the  campaign  by  an 
inviolable  attention  to  discipline  and  subordination. 
Without  a  strict  observance  of  these,  victory  must 
ever  be  uncertain,  and  ought  hardly  to  be  ex- 
ulted in  even  when  gained.  To  what  but  the  entire 
disregard  of  order  and  subordination  are  we  to 
ascribe  the  disasters  which  have  attended  our  arms 
in  the  north  during  the  present  war  \  How  glorious 
will  it  be  to  remove  the  blots  which  have  tarnished 
the  fair  character  bequeathed  us  by  the  fathers  of 
our  revolution  !  The  bosom  of  your  general  is  full 
of  hope.  He  knows  the  ardour  which  animates 
you,  and  already  exults  in  the  triumph  which  your 
strict  observance  of  discipline  and  good  order  will 
render  certain." 

33.  For  the  police  of  his  camp,  he  announced  the 
following  order : 

"  The  chain  of  sentinels  will  be  marked^  and  the 
sentries  posted,  precisely  at  ten  o'clock  to-day. 
'  No  sutler  will  be  suffered  to  sell  spirituous 


40  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

liquors  to  any  soldier,  without  permission  in  writing 
from  a  commissioned  officer,  under  the  penalties 
prescribed  by  the  rules  and  articles  of  war. 

"  No  citizen  will  be  permitted  to  pass  the  chain 
of  sentinels,  after  retreat-beat  in  the  evening,  until 
reveille  in  the  morning.  Drunkenness,  the  bane  of 
all  orderly  encampments,  is  positively  forbidden, 
both  in  officers  and  privates  :  officers,  under  the 
penalty  of  immediate  arrest;  and  privates,  of  being 
placed  under  guard,  there  to  remain  until  liberated 
by  a  court-martial. 

"  At  reveille-beat,  all  officers  and  soldiers  are  to 
appear  on  parade,  with  their  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments in  proper  order. 

"  On  parade,  silence,  the  duty  of  a  soldier,  is 
positively  commanded. 

"  No  officer  or  soldier  is  to  sleep  out  of  camp, 
but  by  permission  obtained." 

34.  These  rules,  to  those  who  had  scarcely  yet 
passed  the  line  that  separates  the  citizen  from  the 
soldier,  and  who  had  not  yet  laid  aside  the  notions 
of  self-sovereignty,  had  the  appearance  of  too  much 
rigour  ;  but  the  general  well  knew  that  the  expedi- 
tion in  which  they  were  er.ibarked  involved  much 
hazard,  and  that,  although  such  lively  feelings  were 
manifested  now,  yet  when  hardships  pressed,  these 
might  cease.  He  considered  it  much  safer,  there- 
fore, to  lay  before  them,  at  once,  the  rules  of  con- 
duct to  which  they  must  conform  ;  believing  that 
it  would  be  more  difficult  to  drive  licentiousness 
from  his  camp  than  to  prevent  its  entrance. 

35.  Impatient  to  join  his  division,  although  his 
health  was  far  from  being  restored,  his  arm  only  be- 
ginning to  heal,  the  general,  in  a  few  days  afterward, 
set  out  for  the  encampment,  and  reached  it  on  the 
7th  of  October,  1813.  Finding,  on  his  arrival,  that 
the  requisition  was  not  complete,  either  in  the  num- 
ber of  men  or  the  necessary  equipments,  measures 
were  instantly  taken  to   remedy   the  deficiency. 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  41 

Orders  were  directed  to  the  several  brigadiers  in  his 
division  to  hasten  immediately  their  respective 
quotas,  fully  equipped  for  active  operations. 

36.  Circumstances  did  not  permit  him  to  remain 
at  this  place  long  enough  to  have  the  delinquencies 
complained  of  remedied,  and  the  ranks  of  his  army 
filled.  Colonel  Coffee  had  proceeded  w^ith  his 
mounted  volunteers  to  cover  Huntsville,  and  give 
security  to  the  frontiers,  where  alarm  greatly  pre- 
vailed. On  the  night  of  the  8th,  a  letter  was  re- 
ceived from  him,  dated  two  days  before,  advising 
that  two  Indians,  belonging  to  the  peace  party,  had 
just  arrived  at  the  Tennessee  river,  from  Chinnaby's 
fort,  on  the  Coosa,  with  information  that  the  war 
party  had  despatched  eight  hundred  or  a  thou- 
sand of  their  warriors  to  attack  the  frontiers  of 
Georgia;  and,  with  the  remainder  of  their  forces, 
were  marching  against  Huntsville,  or  Fort  Hampton. 
In  consequence  of  this  intelligence,  exertions  were 
made  to  hasten  a  movement.  Late  on  the  follow- 
ing night  another  express  arrived,  confirming  the 
former  statement,  and  representing  the  enemy,  in 
great  force,  to  be  rapidly  approaching  the  Tennes- 
see. Orders  were  now  given  for  preparing  the 
line  of  march,  and  by  nine  o'clock  the  next  day 
the  whole  division  was  in  motion.  They  had  not 
proceeded  many  miles,  when  they  were  met  with 
intelligence  that  Colonel  Gibson,  who  had  been  sent 
out  by  Coffee  to  reconnoitre  the  movements  of  the 
enemy,  had  been  killed  by  their  advance.  A  strong 
desire  had  been  manifested  to  be  led  forward  ;  that 
desire  was  now  strengthened  by  the  information 
just  received  ;  and  it  was  with  difficulty  their  emo- 
tions could  be  restrained.  They  accelerated  their 
pace,  and  before  eight  o'clock  at  night  arrived  at 
Huntsville,  a  distance  of  thirty-two  miles.  Learn- 
ing here  that  the  information  was  erroneous  which 
had  occasioned  so  hasty  a  movement,  the  general 
encamped  his  troops ;   having  intended  to  march 

D2 


42  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

them  that  night  to  the  Tennessee  river,  had  it  been 
confirmed.  The  next  day  the  line  of  march  was 
resumed.  The  influence  of  the  late  excitement  was 
now  visible  in  the  lassitude  which  followed  its  re- 
moval. Proceeding  slowly,  they  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee, at  Ditto's  landing,  and  united  in  the  evening 
with  Colonel  Coffee's  regiment,  which  had  pre- 
viously occupied  a  commanding  bluff  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  river.  From  this  place,  a  few  days 
afterward,  Jackson  detached  Colonel  Coffee,  with 
seven  hundred  men,  to  scour  the  Black  Warrior,  a 
stream  running  from  the  north-east,  and  emptying 
into  the  Tombigbee  ;  on  which  were  supposed  to 
be  settled  several  populous  villages  of  the  enemy. 
He  himself  remained  at  this  encampment  a  week, 
using  the  utmost  pains  in  training  his  troops  for  ser- 
vice, and  labouring  incessantly  to  procure  the  ne- 
cessary supplies  for  a  campaign,  which  he  had  de- 
termined to  carry  directly  into  the  heart  of  the 
enemy's  country.  Towards  the  latter  object  his 
industry  had  been  employed,  and  his  attention  in- 
variably directed,  from  the  time  the  expedition  was 
projected. 

37.  With  General  Cocke,  who  commanded  the 
division  of  East  Tennessee  militia,  an  arrangement 
had  been  made  the  preceding  month,  in  which  he 
had  engaged  to  furnish  large  quantities  of  bread- 
stuff, at  Ditto's  landing.  The  facility  of  procuring 
it  in  that  quarter,  and  the  convenient  transportation 
afforded  by  the  river,  left  no  doubt  on  the  mind 
of  Jackson  but  that  the  engagement  would  be  punc- 
tually complied  with.  To  provide,  however,  against 
the  bare  possibility  of  a  failure,  and  to  be  guarded 
against  all  contingencies  that  might  happen,  he  had 
addressed  his  applications  to  various  other  sources. 
He  had,  on  the  same  subject,  written  in  the  most 
pressing  manner  to  the  governor  of  Georgia,  with 
whose  forces  it  was  proposed  to  act  in  concert ;  to 
Colonel  Meigs,  agent  to  the  Cherokee  nation  of  In- 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  43 

dians  ;  and  to  General  White,  who  commanded  the 
advance  of  the  East  Tennessee  troops.     Previously 
to  his  arrival  at  Huntsville,  he  had  received  assur- 
ances from  the  tvv^o  latter  that  a  considerable  supply 
of  flour,  for  the  use  of  his  army,  had  been  pro- 
cured, and  was  then  at  Hiwassee,  where  boats  were 
ready  to  transport  it.     From  General  Cocke  himself, 
about  the  same  time,  a  letter  was  received,  stating 
that  a  hundred  and  fifty  barrels  of  flour  were  then 
on  the  way  to  his  encampment ;  and  expressing  a 
belief  that  he  should  be  able  to  procure,  and  for- 
ward  on   immediately,   a  thousand   barrels   more. 
With  pressing  importunity,  he  had  addressed  him- 
self to  the  contractors,  and  they  had  given  him  as- 
surances, that  on  his  crossing  the  Tennessee,  they 
would  be  prepared  with  twenty  days'  rations  for  his 
whole  command ;  but  finding,  on  his  arrival  at  Dit- 
to's, that  their  preparations  were  not  in  such  for- 
wardness  as  he  had  been  led  to  expect,  he  was 
compelled  for  a  time  to  suspend   any  active  and 
general    operations.     Calculating,    however,   with 
great  confidence,  on  exertions  which  he  had  been 
promised  should  be  unremitting,  and  on  the  speedy 
arrival  of  those   supplies,   descending    the   river, 
which  had  been  already  unaccountably  delayed,  he 
hoped,  in  a  few  days,  to  be  placed  in  a  situation  to 
act  efficiently.     While  he  was  encouraged  by  these 
expectations,  and  only  waiting  their  fulfilment,  that 
he  might  advance,  Shelocta,  the  son  of  Chinnaby, 
a  principal  chief  among  the  friendly  Creeks,  arrived 
at  his  camp,  to  solicit  his  speedy  movement  for  the 
relief  of  his  father's  fort,  which  was  then  threatened 
by  a  considerable  body  of  the  war  party,  who  had 
advanced  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Ten  Islands,  on 
the  Coosa.     Influenced  by  his  representations,  and 
anxious  to  extend  relief,  Jackson,  on  the  I8th,  gave 
orders  for  taking  up  the  line  of  march  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  and  notified  the  contractors  of  this  ar- 
rangement, that  they  might  be  prepared  to  issue, 


44  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

immediately,  such  supplies  as  they  had  on  hand  : 
but,  to  his  great  astonishment,  he  then,  for  the  first 
time,  was  apprized  of  their  entire  inability  to  supply 
him  while  on  his  march.  Having  drawn  what  they 
had  in  their  power  to  furnish,  amounting  to  only  a 
few  days'  rations,  they  were  deposed  from  office, 
and  others  appointed,  on  whose  industry  and  per- 
formance he  believed  he  might  more  safely  reh: 
The  scarcity  of  his  provisions,  however,  at  a  mo- 
ment like  the  present,  when  there  was  every  ap- 
pearance that  the  enemy  might  be  met,  and  a  blow 
stricken  to  advantage,  was  not  sufficient  to  wave 
his  determination  already  taken.  The  route  he 
would  have  to  take  to  gain  the  fort  lay  for  a 
considerable  distance  up  the  river :  might  not  the 
boats,  long  expected  from  Hiwassee,  and  which 
he  felt  strongly  assured  must  be  near  at  hand, 
be  met  with  on  the  way  1  He  determined  to  pro- 
ceed ;  and  having  passed  his  army  and  baggage- 
wagons  over  several  mountains  of  stupendous  size, 
and  such  as  were  thought  almost  impassable  by  foot- 
passengers,  he  arrived,  on  the  22d  of  October,  at 
Thompson's  creek,  which  empties  into  the  Tennes- 
see, twenty-four  miles  above  Ditto's.  At  this  place 
he  proposed  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  de- 
pot, for  the  reception  of  supplies  to  be  sent  either 
up  or  down  the  river.  Disappointed  in  the  hopes 
with  which  he  had  ventured  on  his  march,  he  re- 
mained here  several  days,  in  expectation  of  the 
boats  that  were  coming  to  his  relief.  Thus  har 
assed  at  the  first  onset,  by  difficulties  wholly  unex 
pected,  and  which,  from  the  numerous  and  strong 
assurances  received,  he  could  by  no  means  have 
calculated  on  ;  fearing,  too,  that  the  same  disregard 
of  duty  might  induce  a  continuance,  he  lost  no  time 
in  opening  every  avenue  to  expedient,  tha*'  the 
chances  of  future  failure  might  be  diminishetl  To 
General  Flournoy,  who  •'ommanded  at  Mobile,  he 
applied,  urging  him  to  Drocure  bread-stuff,  and  hove 


Ill, J  INDIAN   CAMPAIGN,  1813.  45 

it  forwarded  up  the  Alabama  by  the  time  he  should 
arrive  on  that  river.  The  agent  of  the  Choctaws, 
Colonel  M'Kee,  who  was  then  on  the  Tombigbee, 
was  addressed  in  the  same  style  of  entreaty.  Ex- 
presses were  despatched  to  General  White,  who, 
with  the  advance  of  the  East  Tennessee  division, 
had  arrived  at  the  Look-out  mountain,  in  the  Chero- 
kee nation,  urging  him,  by  all  means,  to  hasten  on 
the  supplies.  The  assistance  of  the  governor  of 
Tennessee  was  also  earnestly  besought.  To  facili- 
tate exertion,  and  to  assure  success,  every  thing 
within  his  reach  was  attempted  :  several  persons  of 
wealth  and  patriotism,  in  Madison  county,  were  so- 
licited to  afford  the  contractors  all  the  aid  in  their 
power ;  and  to  induce  them  more  readily  to  extend 
it,  their  deep  interest  immediately  at  stake  was 
pointed  to,  and  their  deplorable  and  dangerous  situa- 
tion, should  necessity  compel  him  to  withdraw  his 
army,  and  leave  them  exposed  to  the  mercy  of  the 
savages. 

38.  While  these  measures  were  taking,  two  run- 
ners, from  Turkey-town,  an  Indian  village,  des- 
patched by  Path-killer,  a  chief  of  the  Cherokees,  ar- 
rived at  the  camp.  They  brought  information  that 
the  enemy,  from  nine  of  the  hostile  towns,  were 
assembling  in  great  force  near  the  Ten  Islands  ;  and 
solicited  that  immediate  assistance  should  be  af- 
forded the  friendly  Creeks  and  Cherokees  in  their 
neighbourhood,  who  were  exposed  to  such  imminent 
danger.  His  want  of  provisions  was  not  yet  reme- 
died ;  but  distributing  the  partial  supply  that  was  on 
hand,  he  resolved  to  proceed,  in  expectation  that 
the  relief  he  had  so  earnestly  looked  for  would  in  a 
little  while  arrive,  and  be  forwarded  to  him.  To  pre- 
pare his  troops  for  an  engagement,  which  he  fore- 
saw was  soon  to  take  place,  he  thus  addressed  them  : 

39.  "  You  have,  fellow-soldiers,  at  length  pene- 
trated the  country  of  your  enemies.  It  is  not  to  be 
believed  that  they  will  abandon  the  soil  that  im- 


46  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

bosoms  the  bones  of  their  forefathers,  without 
furnishing  you  an  opportunity  of  signalizing  your 
valour.  Wise  men  do  not  expect,  brave  men  will 
not  desire  it.  It  was  not  to  travel  nnmolested 
through  a  barren  wilderness  that  you  quitted  your 
families  and  homes,  and  submitted  to  so  many  pri- 
vations ;  it  was  to  avenge  the  cruelties  committed 
upon  our  defenceless  frontiers  by  the  inhuman 
Creeks,  instigated  by  their  no  less  inhuman  allies; 
you  shall  not  be  disappointed.  If  the  enemy  flee 
before  us,  we  will  overtake  and  chastise  him  ;  we 
will  teach  him  how  dreadful,  when  once  aroused,  is 
the  resentment  of  freemen.  But  it  is  not  by  boast- 
ing that  punishment  is  to  be  inflicted,  or  victory 
obtained.  The  same  resolution  that  prompted  us 
to  take  up  arms  must  inspire  us  in  battle.  Men 
thus  animated,  and  thus  resolved,  barbarians  can 
never  conquer  ;  and  it  is  an  enemy  barbarous  in 
the  extreme  that  we  have  now  to  face.  Their  re- 
liance will  be  on  the  damage  they  can  do  you  while 
you  are  asleep,  and  unprepared  for  action :  their 
hopes  shall  fail  them  in  the  hour  of  experiment. 
Soldiers  who  know  their  duty,  and  are  ambitious  to 
perform  it,  are  not  to  be  taken  by  surprise.  Our 
sentinels  will  never  sleep,  nor  our  soldiers  be  un- 
prepared for  action  ;  yet,  while  it  is  enjoined  upon 
the  sentinels  vigilantly  to  watch  the  approach  of 
the  foe,  they  are  at  the  same  time  commanded  not 
to  fire  at  shadows.  Imaginary  danger  must  not  de- 
prive them  of  entire  self-possession.  Our  soldiers 
will  lie  with  their  arms  in  their  hands  ;  and  the 
moment  an  alarm  is  given,  they  will  move  to  theii 
respective  positions  without  noise  and  without  con- 
fusion; they  will  be  thus  enabled  to  hear  the 
orders  of  their  ofllcers,  and  to  obey  them  with 
promptitude. 

40.  *' Great  reliance  will  be  placed  by  the  enemy  on 
the  consternation  they  may  be  able  to  spread  through 
our  ranks  by  the  hideous  yells  with  which  they 


III.]  INDIAN   CAMPAIGN,   1813.  47 

commence  their  battles  ;  but  brave  men  will  laugh 
at  such  efforts  to  alarm  them.  It  is  not  by  bellow- 
ings  and  screams  that  the  wounds  of  death  are  in- 
flicted You  will  teach  these  noisy  assailants  how 
weak  are  their  weapons  of  warfare,  by  opposing 
them  with  the  bayonet;  what  Indian  ever  with- 
stood its  charge  1  what  army,  of  any  nation,  ever 
withstood  it  long  ] 

41.  "  Yes,  soldiers,  the  order  for  a  charge  will 
be  the  signal  for  victory.  In  that  moment,  your 
enemy  will  be  seen  fleeing  in  every  direction  before 
you.  But  in  the  moment  of  action,  coolness  and 
deliberation  must  be  regarded ;  your  fires  made 
with  precision  and  aim ;  and  when  ordered  to 
charge  with  the  bayonet,  you  must  proceed  to  the 
assault  with  a  quick  and  firm  step  ;  without  trepi- 
dation or  alarm.  Then  shall  you  behold  the  com- 
pletion of  your  hopes  in  the  discomfiture  of  your 
enemy.  Your  general,  whose  duty,  as  well  as  in- 
clination, is  to  watch  over  your  safety,  will  not,  to 
gratify  any  wishes  of  his  own,  rush  you  unnecessarily 
into  danger.  He  knows,  however,  that  it  is  not  in 
assailing  an  enemy  that  men  are  destroyed  ;  it  is 
when  retreating  and  in  confusion.  Aware  of  this, 
he  will  be  prompted  as  much  by  a  regard  for  your 
lives  as  your  honour.  He  laments  that  he  has  been 
compelled,  even  incidentally,  to  hint  at  a  retreat  when 
speaking  to  freemen  and  to  soldiers.  Never,  until 
you  forget  all  that  is  due  to  yourselves  and  your 
country,  will  you  have  any  practical  understanding 
of  that  word.  Shall  an  enemy  wholly  unacquainted 
with  military  evolutions,  and  who  rely  more  for  vic- 
tory on  their  grim  visages  and  hideous  yells  than 
upon  their  bravery  or  their  weapons — shall  such  an 
enemy  ever  drive  before  them  the  well-trained 
youths  of  our  country,  whose  bosoms  pant  for  glory, 
and  a  desire  to  avenge  the  wrongs  they  have  re- 
ceived ]  Your  general  will  not  live  to  behold  such 
a  spectaclf^ ;  rather  would  he  rush  into  the  thickest 


48  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.         [cHAP. 

of  the  enemy,  and  submit  himself  to  their  scalping- 
knives :  but  he  has  no  fears  of  such  a  result.  He 
knows  the  valour  of  the  men  he  commands,  and 
now  certainly  that  valour,  regulated  as  it  will  be, 
will  lead  to  victory.  With  his  soldiers  he  will  face 
all  dangers,  and  with  them  participate  in  the  glory 
of  conquest." 

42.  Having  thus  prepared  the  minds  of  his  men, 
and  brought  to  their  view  the  kind  of  foe  with 
whom  they  were  shortly  to  contend,  and  having 
also,  by  his  expresses,  instructed  General  While  to 
form  a  junction  with  him,  and  to  hasten  on  all  the 
supplies  in  his  power  to  command,  with  about  six 
days'  rations  of  meat,  and  less  than  two  of  meal, 
he  again  put  his  army  in  motion  to  meet  the  enemy. 
Although  there  was  some  hazard  in  advancing  into 
a  country  ,where  relief  was  not  to  be  expected,  with 
such  limited  preparation,  yet,  believing  that  his  con- 
tractors, lately  installed,  would  exert  themselves  to 
the  utmost  to  forward  supplies,  and  that  amid  the 
variety  of  arrangements  made  all  could  not  fail, 
and  well  aware  that  his  delaying  longer  might  be 
productive  of  many  disadvantages,  his  determina- 
tion was  taken  to  set  out  immediately  in  quest  of 
the  enemy.  He  replied  to  the  Path-killer,  by  his 
runners,  that  he  should  proceed  directly  for  the 
Coosa,  and  solicited  him  to  be  diligent  in  making 
discoveries  of  the  situation  and  collected  forces  of 
the  savages,  and  to  give  him,  as  early  as  possible, 
the  result  of  his  inquiries. 

43.  "  The  hostile  Creeks,"  he  remarked  to  him, 
"  will  not  attack  you  until  they  have  had  a  brush 
with  me;  and  that,  I  think,  will  put  them  out  of  the 
notion  of  fighting  for  some  time." 

44.  He  requested,  if  he  had,  or  could  any  how 
procure,  provisions  for  his  army,  that  he  would  send 
them,  or  advise  where  they  might  be  had  :  "  You 
shall  be  well  paid,  and  have  my  thanks  into  the  bar- 
gaio-     I  shall  stand  most  in  need  of  corn-meal,  but 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  49 

shall  be  thankful  for  any  kind  of  provisions,  and 
indeed  for  whatever  will  support  life." 

45.  The  army  had  advanced  but  a  short  distance 
■when  unexpected  embarrassments  were  again  pre- 
sented. Information  was  received,  by  which  it  was 
clearly  ascertained  that  the  present  contractors,  who 
had  been  so  much  and  so  certainly  relied  on,  could 
not,  with  all  their  exertions,  procure  the  n'^cessary 
supplies.  Major  Rose,  in  the  quarter-masters  depart 
ment,  who  had  been  sent  into  Madison  county  to 
aid  them  in  their  endeavours,  having  satisfied  him- 
self, as  well  from  their  own  admissions  as  from 
evidence  derived  from  other  sources,  that  their 
want  of  funds,  and  consequent  want  of  credit,  ren- 
dered them  a  very  unsafe  dependence,  had  returned, 
and  disclosed  the  facts  to  the  general.  He  stated 
that  there  were  there  persons  of  fortune  and  in- 
dustry w^ho  might  be  confided  in,  and  who  would 
be  willing  to  contract  for  the  army  if  it  were  neces- 
sary. Jackson  lost  no  time  in  embracing  this  plan, 
and  gave  the  contract  to  Mr.  Pope,  upon  whose 
means  and  exertions,  he  hoped,  every  reliance 
might  be  safely  reposed.  To  the  other  contractors 
he  wrote,  informing  them  of  the  change  that  had 
been  made,  and  the  reasons  w^hich  had  induced  it. 

46.  "  I  am  advised,"  said  he,  "  that  you  have 
candidly  acknowledged  you  have  it  not  in  your 
power  to  execute  the  contract  in  which  you  have 
engaged.  Do  not  think  I  mean  to  cast  any  reflec- 
tion— very  far  from  it.  I  am  exceedingly  pleased 
with  the  exertions  you  have  made,  and  feel  myself 
under  many  obligations  of  gratitude  for  them.  The 
critical  situation  of  aff'airs  when  you  entered  into 
the  contract  being  considered,  you  have  done  all 
that  individuals  in  your  circumstances  could  have 
performed.  But  you  must  be  well  convinced,  that 
any  approbation  which  may  be  felt  by  the  com- 
mander of  an  army  for  past  services  ought  not  to 
become,  through  kindness  to  you,  the  occasion  of 

E 


50  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

that  army's  destruction.  From  the  admissions  you 
have  been  candid  enough  to  make,  the  scarcity 
which  already  begins  to  appear  in  the  camp,  and  the 
difficulties  you  are  likely  to  encounter  in  effecting 
your  engagements,  I  am  apprehensive  I  should  be 
doing  injustice  to  the  army  I  command  were  I  to 
rely  for  support  on  your  exertions — great  as  I  know 
them  to  be.  Whatever  concerns  myself  I  may 
manage  with  any  generosity  or  indulgence  I  please  ; 
but  in  acting  for  my  country  I  have  no  such  dis- 
cretion. I  have  therefore  felt  myself  compelled 
to  give  the  contract  in  which  you  are  concerned  to 
another,  who  is  abundantly  able  to  execute  it  ;  on 
condition  he  indemnifies  you  for  the  trouble  you 
have  been  at." 

47.  This  arrangement  being  made,  the  army 
continued  jts  march,  and  having  arrived  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  Ten  Islands,  was  met  by  old  Chin- 
naby,  a  leading  chief  of  the  Creek  nation,  and 
sternly  opposed  to  the  war  party.  He  brought 
with  him,  and  surrendered  up,  two  of  the  hostile 
Creeks  who  had  lately  been  made  prisoners  by  his 
party.  At  this  place  it  was  represented  that  they 
were  within  sixteen  miles  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
collected  to  the  number  of  a  thousand  to  oppose 
their  passage.  This  information  was  little  relied 
on,  and  afterward  proved  untrue.  Jackson  con- 
tinued his  route,  and  in  a  few  days  reached  the 
islands  of  the  Coosa,  having  been  detained  a  day  on 
the  way  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  small  supplies 
of  corn  from  the  neighbouring  Indians.  This  ac- 
quisition to  the  scanty  stock  on  hand,  while  it 
afforded  subsistence  for  the  present,  encouraged  his 
hopes  for  the  future,  as  a  means  of  temporary'  re- 
sort should  his  other  resources  fail. 

48.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Blount  from  this 
place,  speaking  of  the  difficulties  with  which  he 
was  assailed,  he  observes  : — "  indeed,  sir  we  have 
been  very  wretchedly  supplied — scarcely  two  ra^ 


in.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  51 

tions  in  succession  have  been  reg^ularly  drawn ;  yet 
we  are  not  despondent.  While  we  can  procure  an 
ear  of  corn  apiece,  or  any  thing  that  will  answer 
as  a  substitute  for  it,  we  shall  contniue  our  exer- 
tions to  accomplish  the  object  for  which  we  were 
«cnt.  The  cheerfulness  with  which  my  men  sub- 
mit to  privations,  and  are  ready  to  encounter  dan- 
ger, does  honour  to  them  and  to  the  government 
whose  rights  they  are  defending. 

49.  "  Every  means  within  my  power  for  procuring 
the  requisite  supplies  for  my  army  I  have  taken,  and 
am  continuing  to  take.  East,  west,  north,  and  south 
have  been  applied  to  with  the  most  pressing  soli- 
citation. The  governor  of  Georgia,  in  a  letter 
received  from  him  this  evening,  informs  me  that  a 
sufficiency  can  be  had  in  his  state  ;  but  does  not 
signify  that  he  is  about  to  take  any  measures  to 
procure  it.  My  former  contractor  has  been  super- 
seded :  no  exertions  were  spared  by  him  to  fulfil 
his  engagements  ;  yet  the  inconveniences  under 
which  he  laboured  were  such  as  to  render  his  best 
exertions  unavailing.  The  contract  has  been  offered 
to  one  who  will  be  able  to  execute  it :  if  he  accepts 
it,  my  apprehensions  will  be  greatly  diminished." 

50.  On  the  28th  of  October,  1813,  Colonel  Dyer, 
who,  on  the  march  to  the  Ten  Islands,  had  been 
detached  from  the  main  body,  with  two  hundred 
cavalry,  to  attack  Littafutchee-town,  on  the  head 
of  Canoe  creek,  which  empties  into  the  Coosa 
from  the  west,  returned,  bringing  with  him  twenty- 
nine  prisoners,  men,  women,  and  children,  having 
destroyed  the  village. 

51.  The  sanguine  expectations  indulged  on  leaving 
Thompson's  creek,  that  the  advance  of  the  East 
Tennessee  militia  would  hasten  to  unite  with  him, 
was  not  yet  realized.  The  express  heretofore  di- 
rected to  General  White  had  not  returned.  Jack- 
son, on  the  31st  of  October,  1813,  despatched  an- 
other, again  urging  him  to  effect  a  speedy  junction, 


52  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

and  to  bring  with  him  all  the  bread-stuff  it  should 
be  in  his  power  to  procure  ;  feelingly  suggesting  to 
him,  at  the  same  time,  the  great  inconvenience 
and  hazard  to  which  he  had  been  already  exposed 
for  the  want  of  punctuality  in  himself  and  his  com- 
manding general.  Owing  to  that  cause,  and  the 
late  failures  of  his  contractors,  he  represented  his 
army  as  placed,  at  present,  in  a  very  precarious 
situation,  and  dependent,  in  a  great  measure,  for 
support  on  the  exertions  which  they  might  be 
pleased  to  make  ;  but  assured  him,  at  the  same  time , 
that,  let  circumstances  transpire  as  they  might,  he 
would  still,  at  every  risk,  endeavour  to  effect  his 
purpose  ;  and,  at  all  events,  was  resolved  to  hasten, 
with  every  practicable  despatch,  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  object  for  which  he  had  set  out.  Be- 
lieving the  ^co-operation  of  the  East  Tennessee 
troops  essential  to  this  end,  they  were  again  in- 
structed to  join  him  without  delay  ;  for  he  could 
not  conceive  it  to  be  correct  policy,  that  troops 
from  the  same  state,  pursuing  the  same  object, 
should  constitute  separate  and  distinct  armies,  and 
act  without  concert,  and  independently  of  each 
other.  He  entertained  no  doubt  but  that  his  order 
would  be  promptly  obeyed. 

52.  The  next  evening,  a  detachment  which  had 
been  sent  out  the  day  before  returned  to  the  camp, 
bringing  with  them,  besides  some  corn  and  beeves, 

.several  negroes  and  prisoners  of  the  war  party. 

53.  Learning  now  that  a  considerable  body  of 
the  enemy  had  posted  themselves  at  Tallushatchee, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Coosa,  about  thirteen 
miles  distant.  General  Coffee  was  detached  with 
nine  hundred  men  (the  mounted  troops  having  been 
previously  organized  into  a  brigade,  and  placed 
under  his  command)  to  attack  and  disperse  them. 
With  this  force  he  was  enabled,  through  the  direc- 
tion of  an  Indian  pilot,  to  ford  the  Coosa  at  the 
Fish-dams,  about  four  miles  above  the  islands  •  an 


lU.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  53 

having-  encamped  beyond  it,  very  early  the  next 
morning  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  his  order. 
Having  arrived  within  a  mile  and  a  half,  he  formed 
his  detachment   into  two   divisions,   and  directed 
them  to  march  so  as  to  encircle  the  town,  by  uni- 
ting their  fronts  beyond  it.     The  enemy,  hearing 
of  his  approach,  began  to  prepare  for  action,  which 
was  announced  by  the  beating  of  drums,  mingled 
with   their    savage   yells     and    war-whoops.      An 
hour   after    sunrise,    the    action  was    commenced 
by  Captain  Hammond's  and  Lieutenant  Patterson's 
companies  of  spies,  who  had  gone  within  the  circle 
of  alignement  for   the  purpose  of  drawing  the  In- 
dians  from  their  buildings.     No  sooner  had  these 
companies  exhibited  their  front  in  view  of  the  town, 
and  given  a  few  scattering  shot,  than  the  enemy 
formed,  and  made  a  violent  charge.     Being  com- 
pelled to  give  way,  the  advance-guard  v/ere  pursued 
until   they  reached   the   main  body   of  the   army, 
which    immediately    opened   a    general    fire,    and 
charged  in  their  turn.  The  Indians  retreated,  firing, 
until  they  got  around  and  in  their  buildings,  where 
an  obstinate  conflict  ensued,  and  where  those  who 
maintained  their  ground  persisted  in  fighting  as  long 
as  they  could  stand  or  sit,  without  manifesting  fear 
or  sohciting  quarter.    Their  loss  was  a  hundred  and 
eighty-six  killed ;  among  whom  were,  unfortunately, 
and  through  accident,  a  few  women  and  children. 
Eighty-four  women  and  children  were  taken  prison- 
ers, towards  whom  the  utmost  humanity  was  shown. 
Of  the  Americans,  five  were  killed   and  forty-one 
wounded.     Two  were  killed  with  arrows,  which  on 
this  occasion  formed  a  principal  part  of  the  arms 
of  the  Indians  ;  each  one  having  a  bow  and  quiver, 
which  he  used  after  the  first  fire  of  his  gun,  until 
an  opportunity  occurred  for  reloading. 

54.  Having  buried  his  dead,  and  provided  for  his 
'wounded,  General  Coffee,  late  in  the  evening  of 
tlie  same  day,  united  with  the  main  arncy    wringing 

E  2 


54  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

with  him  about  forty  prisoners.  Of  the  residue,  a 
part  were  too  badly  wounded  to  be  removed,  and 
were  therefore  left  with  a  sufficient  number  to  take 
care  of  them.  Those  which  he  brought  in  re- 
ceived every  comfort  and  assistance  their  situation 
demanded,  and,  for  safety,  were  immediately  sent 
into  the  settlements. 

55.  From  the  manner  in  which  the  enemy  fought, 
the  killing  and  wounding  others  than  their  warriors 
was  not  to  be  avoided.  On  their  retreat  to  their  vil- 
lage, after  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  they  re- 
sorted to  their  block-houses  and  strong  log-dwell- 
ings, whence  they  kept  up  resistance,  and  reso- 
lutely maintained  the  fight.  Thus  mingled  with 
their  women  and  children,  it  was  impossible  they 
should  not  be  exposed  to  the  general  danger ;  and 
thus  m?ny  were  injured,  notwithstanding  every 
possible  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  it.  In 
fact,  many  of  the  women  united  with  their  warriors, 
and  contended  in  the  battle  with  fearless  bravery. 

56.  Measures  were  now  taken  to  establish  a  per- 
manent depot  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  at  the 
Ten  Islands,  to  be  protected  by  strong  picketing  and 
block-houses ;  after  whicli,  it  was  the  intention  of 
Jackson  to  proceed  along  the  Coosa  to  its  junction 
with  the  Tallapoosa,  near  which  it  was  expected  the 
main  force  of  the  enemy  was  collected.  Well 
knowing  that  it  would  detach  much  of  the  strength 
of  his  army  to  occupy,  in  his  advance,  the  different 
points  necessary  to  the  safety  of  his  rear,  it  was  de- 
sirable to  unite,  as  soon  as  possible,  with  the  troops 
from  the  east  of  Tennessee  ;  to  effect  this,  he  again, 
on  the  4th,  despatched  an  express  to  General  White, 
who  had  previously,  with  his  command,  arrived  at 
Turkey-town,  a  Cherokee  village  about  twenty-five 
miles  above,  on  the  same  river,  urging  him  to 
unite  with  him  as  soon  as  possible,  and  again  en- 
treating him  on  the  subject  of  provisions ;  to  bring 
with  him  such  as  he  had  on  hand,  or  could  procure ; 


ni.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,  1813.  66 

and,  if  possible,  to  form  some  certain  arrangement 
that  might  ensure  a  supply  in  future. 

67.  Anxious  to  proceed,  and  to  have  his  army  ac- 
tively and  serviceably  employed,  which  he  believed 
•would  be  practicable  as  soon  as  a  junction  could  be 
effected,  he  again,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  No- 
vember, 181.3,  renewed  his  application  to  General 
White,  who  still  remained  at  Turkey-town. 

58.  As  yet  no  certain  intelligence  was  received 
of  any  collection  of  the  enemy.  The  army  was 
busily  engaged  in  fortifying  and  strengthening  the 
site  fixed  on  for  a  depot,  to  which  the  name  of  Fort 
Strother  had  been  given.  Late,  however,  on  the 
evening  of  the  7th  November,  a  runner  arrived  from 
Talladega,  a  fort  of  the  friendly  Indians,  distant 
about  thirty  miles  below,  with  information  that  the 
enemy  had  that  morning  encamped  before  it  in  great 
numbers,  and  would  certainly  destroy  it  unless  im- 
mediate assistance  could  be  afforded.  Jackson,  con- 
fiding in  the  statement,  determined  to  lose  no  time 
in  extending  the  relief  which  was  soUcited.  Un- 
derstanding that  General  White,  agreeably  to  his 
order,  was  on  his  way  to  join  him,  he  despatched  a 
messenger  to  meet  him,  directing  him  to  reach  his 
encampment  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  night,  and 
to  protect  it  in  his  absence.  He  now  gave  orders 
for  taking  up  the  line  of  march,  with  twelve  hundred 
infantry  and  eight  hundred  cavalry  and  mounted 
gun  men ;  leaving  behind  the  sick,  the  wounded, 
and  all  his  baggage,  with  a  force  which  was  deemed 
sufficient  for  their  protection,  until  the  reinforce- 
ment from  Turkey-town  should  arrive. 

59.  The  friendly  Indians,  who  had  taken  refuge 
in  this  besieged  fort,  had  involved  themselves  in  their 
present  perilous  situation  from  a  disposition  to  pre- 
serve their  amicable  relations  with  the  United  States. 
To  suffer  them  to  fall  a  sacrifice  from  any  tardiness 
of  movement  would  have  been  unpardonable  ;  and 
unless  relief  were  immediately  extender    t  might 


56  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

arrive  too  late.  Acting  under  these  impressions, 
the  general  concluded  to  move  instantly  forward  to 
their  assistance.  By  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  every 
thmg  was  in  readiness  ;  and  in  an  hour  afterward 
the  army  commenced  crossing  the  river,  about  a 
mile  above  the  camp,  each  of  the  mounted  men 
carrying  one  of  the  infantry  behind  him.  The  river 
at  this  phice  was  six  hundred  yards  wide,  and  it  being 
necessary  to  send  back  the  horses  for  the  remain- 
der of  the  infantry,  several  hours  were  consumed 
before  a  passage  of  all  the  troops  could  be  effecte-d. 
Nevertheless,  though  greatly  fatigued  and  deprived 
of  sleep,  they  continued  the  march  with  animation, 
and  by  evening  had  arrived  within  six  miles  of 
the  enemy.  In  this  march  Jackson  used  the  utmost 
precaution  to  prevent  surprise:  marching  his  army, 
as  was  his  constant  custom,  in  three  columns,  so 
that,  by  a  speedy  manoeuvre,  they  might  be  thrown 
into  such  a  situation  as  to  be  capable  of  resisting  an 
attack  from  any  quarter.  Having  judiciously  en- 
camped his  men  on  an  eligible  piece  of  ground,  he 
sent  forward  two  of  the  friendly  Indians  and  a  white 
man,  who  had  for  many  years  been  detained  a  cap- 
tive in  the  nation,  and  was  now  acting  as  inter- 
preter, to  reconnoitre  the  position  of  the  enemy. 
About  eleven  o'clock  at  night  they  returned,  with  in- 
formation that  the  savages  were  posted  within  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort,  and  appeared  to  be  in 
great  force  ;  but  that  they  had  not  been  able  to 
approach  near  enough  to  ascertain  either  their  num- 
bers or  precise  situation.  AVithin  an  hour  after  this, 
a  runner  arrived  from  Turkey-town,  with  a  lettei 
from  General  White,  stating,  that  after  having  taken 
up  the  line  of  march,  to  unite  at  Fort  Strother, 
he  had  received  orders  from  General  Cocke  to 
change  his  course  and  proceed  to  the  mouth  of  Cha- 
tauga  creek.  It  was  most  distressing  intelligence  : 
the  sick  and  wounded  had  been  left  with  no  other 
calculatiop  for  their  safety  and  defence  than  that 


ni.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,  1813.  57 

this  detachment  of  the  army,  agreeably  to  his  re- 
quest, would,  by  advancing  upon  Fort  Strother, 
serve  the  double  purpose  of  protecting  his  rear  and 
enable  him  to  advance  still  farther  into  the  enemy's 
country.  The  information  which  was  now  received 
proved  that  all  those  salutary  anticipations  were  at 
an  end,  and  that  evils  of  the  worst  kind  might  be 
the  consequence.  Intelligence  so  disagreeable,  and 
withal  so  unexpected,  filled  the  mind  of  Jackson 
with  apprehension  of  a  serious  and  alarming  charac- 
ter ;  and  dreading  lest  the  enemy,  by  taking  a  dif- 
ferent route,  should  attack  his  encampment  in  his 
absence,  he  determined  to  lose  no  time  in  bringing 
him  to  battle.  Orders  were  accordingly  given  to 
the  adjutant-general  to  prepare  the  line,  and  by  four 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  army  was  again  in  mo- 
tion. The  infantry  proceeded  in  three  columns ; 
the  cavalry  in  the  same  order,  in  the  rear,  with 
flankers  on  each  wing.  The  advance,  consisting  of 
acompanyofartillerists  with  muskets, two  companies 
of  riflemen,  and  one  of  spies,  marched  about  four  hun- 
<lred  yards  in  front,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Carroll,  inspector-general,  with  orders,  after  com- 
mencing the  action,  to  fall  back  on  the  centre,  so  as  to 
draw  the  enemy  after  them.  At  seven  o'clock,  having 
arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  position  they  occupied, 
the  columns  were  displayed  in  order  of  battle.  Two 
hundred  and  fifty  of  the  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Dyer,  were  placed  in  the  rear  of  the  centre, 
as  a  corps-de-reserve.  The  remainder  of  the  mounted 
troops  were  directed  to  advance  on  the  right  and 
left,  and,  after  encircling  the  enemy,  by  uniting  the 
fronts  of  their  columns,  and  keeping  their  rear  rested 
on  the  infantry,  to  face  and  press  towards  the  cen- 
tre, so  as  to  leave  them  no  possibility  oy  escape. 
The  remaining  part  of  the  army  was  orcered  to  move 
up  by  heads  of  companies  ;  General  Hall's.  Dr:.gade 
occupying  the  right,  and  Genera.  Roberts  the  l.^ft. 
60.   About  eight  o'clock,  the    advance,   harjig 


58  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

arrived  within  eighty  yards  of  the  enemy,  who  were 

concealed  in  a  thick  shrubbery  that  covered  the 
margin  of  a  small  rivulet,  received  a  heavy  fire, 
which  they  instantly  returned  with  much  spirit. 
Falling  in  with  the  enemy,  agreeably  to  their  in- 
structions, they  retired  towards  the  centre,  but  not 
before  they  had  dislodged  them  from  their  position. 
The  Indians,  now  screaming  and  yelling  hideously, 
rushed  forward  in  the  direction  of  General  Roberts' 
brigade,  a  few  companies  of  which,  alarmed  by  their 
numbers  and  yells,  gave  way  at  the  first  fire.  Jack- 
son, to  fill  the  chasm  which  was  thus  created,  di- 
rected the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Brad- 
ley to  be  moved  up,  which,  from  some  unaccountable 
cause,  had  failed  to  advance  in  a  line  with  the  others, 
and  now  occupied  a  position  in  rear  of  the  centre  : 
Bradley,  however,  to  whom  this  order  was  given  by 
one  of  the  staff,  omitted  to  execute  it  in  time,  al- 
leging he  was  determined  to  remain  on  the  emi- 
nence which  he  then  possessed  until  he  should  be 
approached  and  attacked  by  the  enemy.  Owing  to 
this  failure  in  the  volunteer  regiment,  it  became  ne- 
cessary to  dismount  the  reserve,  which,  with  great 
firmness,  met  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
rapidly  moving  in  this  direction.  The  retreating 
militia,  somewhat  mortified  at  seeing  their  places  so 
promptly  supplied,  rallied,  and,  recovering  their  for- 
mer position  in  the  line,  aided  in  checking  the  ad- 
vance of  the  savages.  The  action  now  became 
general  along  the  line,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  the  In- 
dians were  seen  flying  in  every  direction.  On  the 
left  they  were  met  and  repulsed  by  the  mounted 
riflemen  ;  but  on  the  right,  owing  to  the  halt  of  Brad- 
ley's regiment,  which  was  intended  to  occupy  the 
extreme  right,  and  to  the  circumstance  of  Colonel 
Allcorn,  who  commanded  one  of  the  wings  of  the 
cavalry, 'having  taken  too  large  a  circuit,  a  consid- 
erable space  was  left  between  the  infantry  and  the 
cavalry, through  which  numbers  escaped.    The  fight 


m.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  59 

was  maintained  with  great  spirit  and  effect  on  both 
sides,  as  well  before  as  after  the  retreat  commenced; 
nor  did  the  pursuit  and  slaughter  terminate  until  the 
mountains  were  reached,  at  the  distance  of  three 
miles. 

61.  Jackson,  in  his  report  of  this  action,  bestows 
high  commendation  on  the  officers  and  soldiers. 
*'  Too  much  praise,"  he  observes  in  the  close  of  it, 
"  cannot  be  bestowed  on  the  advance,  led  by  Colonel 
Carroll,  for  the  spirited  manner  in  which  they  com- 
menced and  sustained  the  attack  ;  nor  upon  the  re- 
serve, commanded  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Dyer,  for 
the  gallantry  with  which  they  met  and  repulsed  the 
enemy.  In  a  word,  officers  of  every  grade,  as  well 
as  privates,  realized  the  high  expectations  I  had 
formed  of  them,  and  merit  the  gratitude  of  their 
country." 

62.  In  this  battle,  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  one 
thousand  and  eighty,  of  whom  two  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  were  left  dead  on  the  ground  ;  and  it  is 
beheved  that  many  were  killed  in  the  flight,  who 
were  not  found  when  the  estimate  was  made.  Prob- 
ably few  escaped  unhurt.  Their  loss  on  this  occa- 
sion, as  stated  since  by  themselves,  was  not  less 
than  six  hundred  :  that  of  the  Americans  was  fifteen 
killed,  and  eighty  wounded,  several  of  whom  after- 
ward died.  Jackson,  after  collecting  his  dead  and 
wounded,  advanced  his  army  beyond  the  fort,  and 
encamped  for  the  night.  The  Indians  who  had 
been  for  several  days  shut  up  by  the  besiegers,  thus 
fortunately  liberated  from  the  most  dreadful  appre- 
hensions and  severest  privations,  having  for  some 
time  been  entirely  without  water,  received  the  army 
with  all  the  demonstrations  of  gratitude  that  sav- 
ages could  give.  Their  manifestations  of  joy  for 
their  deliverance  presented  an  interesting  and  af- 
fecting spectacle.  Their  fears  had  been  already 
greatly  excited,  for  it  was  the  very  day  when  they 
were  to  have  been  assaulted,  and  when  every  soul 


60  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.         [cHAP. 

within  the  fort  must  have  perished.  All  the  pro- 
visions they  could  spare  from  their  scanty  stock 
they  sold  to  the  general,  who,  purchasing  with  his 
own  money,  distributed  them  among  the  soldiers, 
who  were  almost  destitute. 

63.  It  was  with  great  regret  that  Jackson  now 
found  he  was  without  the  means  of  availing  himself 
fully  of  the  advantages  of  his  victory  ;  but  the  con- 
dition of  his  posts  in  the  rear,  and  the  want  of  pro- 
visions (having  left  his  encampment  at  Fort  Strother 
with  little  more  than  one  day's  rations),  compelled 
him  to  return  ;  thus  giving  the  enemy  time  to  re- 
cover from  the  consternation  of  their  first  defeat,  and 
to  re-assemble  their  forces. 

64.  The  cause  which  prevented  General  "White 
from  acting  in  obedience  to  his  order,  and  arriving  at 
the  Ten  Islands  at  a  moment  when  it  was  so  import- 
ant, and  when  it  was  so  confidently  expected,  was  as 
yet  unknown ;  the  only  certainty  upon  the  subject 
was,  that  for  the  present  it  wholly  thwarted  his 
views,  and  laid  him  under  the  necessity  of  returning. 
This  mystery,  hitherto  inexplicable,  was  some  time 
after  explained,  by  a  view  of  the  order  of  General 
Cocke,  under  which  White,  being  a  brigadier  in  his 
division,  chose  to  act,  rather  than  under  Jackson's. 
General  Cocke  stated  to  him,  he  had  understood 
Jackson  had  crossed  the  Coosa,  and  had  an  engage- 
ment with  the  Indians.  "  I  have  formed  a  council 
of  officers  here,  and  proposed  these  questions  : — 
Shall  we  follow  him?  or  cross  the  river,  and  proceed 
to  the  Creek  settlements  on  the  Tallapoosa? — Both 
were  decided  unanimously  that  he  should  not  be 
followed,  but  that  we  should  proceed  in  the  way 
proposed."  He  rem;. -ked,  that  the  decision  had  met 
his  entire  approbation ;  and  directed  White  forth- 
with to  unite  with  him  at  his  encampment,  where 
he  should  wait,  fortifying  it  strongly  for  a  depot 
until  he  should  arrive.  "  If,"  said  he,  '*  we  follow 
General  Jackson  and  his  army,  we  must  suffer  for 


III.']  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  61 

supplies  ;  nor  can  we  expect  to  gain  a  victory.  Let 
us  then  take  a  direction  in  which  we  can  share  some 
of  the  dangers  and  glories  of  the  field.  You  will 
employ  pilots,  and  advise  me  which  side  of  the  river 
you  will  move  up."  In  this,  as  in  every  other  mea- 
sure, it  seemed  to  be  the  studied  aim  of  Cocke  to 
thwart  the  views  and  arrest  the  successes  of  Jack- 
son ;  and  perhaps  jealousy,  in  no  inconsiderable  de- 
gree, was  the  moving  spring  to  his  conduct.  Both 
were  major-generals,  from  the  state  of  Tennessee, 
sent  on  the  same- important  errand,  to  check  an  in- 
solent foe,  who  had  practised  the  most  cruel  and 
unprovoked  outrages.  Which  of  them  should  share 
the  "  dangers  and  glories  of  the  field,"  or  obtain  its 
laurels,  was  not  so  important  to  the  country  as  by 
acting  in  concert  and  harmony,  endeavouring  to  ac- 
complish the  grand  object  of  terminating  the  war, 
and  restoring  tranquillity  to  the  frontiers.  National, 
and  not  individual,  advancement  was  the  object  in 
carrying  an  army  into  the  field ;  and  the  best  and 
most  effectual  means  of  securing  this,  every  officer, 
acting  on  liberal  principles,  should  have  constantly 
held  in  view  :  the  interest  and  repose  of  the  country, 
not  their  individual  advancement,  was  the  end  to  be 
attained. 

65.  Having  buried  his  dead  with  all  due  honour, 
and  provided  litters  for  the  wounded,  he  reluctantly 
commenced  his  return  march  on  the  morning  suc- 
ceeding the  battle.  He  confidently  hoped,  from  the 
previous  assurances  of  the  contractors,  that  by  the 
time  of  his  return  to  Fort  Strother  sufficient  supplies 
would  have  arrived  there ;  but,  to  his  inexpressible 
uneasiness,  he  found  that  not  a  particle  had  been 
forwarded  there  since  his  departure,  and  that  what 
had  been  left  was  already  consumed.  Even  his  pri- 
vate stores,  brought  on  at  his  own  expense,  and  upon 
which  he  and  his  staff'  had  hitherto  wholly  subsisted, 
had  been  in  his  absence  distributed  among  the  sick 
by  the  hospital  surgeon,  who  had  been  previously 
F 


62  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

instructed  to  do  so  if  their  wants  should  require  it. 
A  few  dozen  biscuits,  which  remained  on  his  return, 
were  given  to  hungry  applicants,  without  being 
tasted  by  himself  or  family,  who  were  probably  not 
less  hungry  than  those  who  were  thus  relieved.  A 
scanty  supply  of  indifferent  beef,  taken  from  the 
enemy  or  purchased  of  the  Cherokees,  was  now  the 
only  support  afforded.  Thus  left  destitute,  Jack- 
son, with  the  utmost  cheerfulness  of  temper,  re- 
paired to  the  bullock-pen,  and  of  the  offal  there 
thrown  away,  provided  for  himself  and  staff  what  he 
was  pleased  to  call,  and  seemed  really  to  think,  a 
very  comfortable  repast.  Tripes,  however,  hastily 
provided  in  a  camp,  without  bread  or  seasoning,  can 
only  be  palatable  to  an  appetite  very  high  whetted ; 
5^et  this  constituted  for  several  days  the  only  diet  at 
head-quarters,  during  which  time  the  general  seemed 
entirely  satisfied  with  his  fare.  Neither  this  nor 
the  liberal  donations  by  which  he  disfurnished  him- 
self to  relieve  the  suffering  soldier,  deserves  to  be 
ascribed  to  ostentation  or  design :  the  one  flowed 
from  benevolence,  the  other  from  necessity,  and  a 
desire  to  place  before  his  men  an  example  of  pa- 
tience and  suffering,  which  he  felt  might  be  neces- 
sary, and  hoped  might  be  serviceable.  Of  these 
two  imputations  no  human  being,  invested  with  rank 
and  power,  was  ever  more  deservedly  free.  Char- 
ity in  him  is  a  warm  and  active  propensity  of  the 
heart,  urging  him,  by  an  instantaneous  impulse,  to 
relieve  the  wants  of  the  distressed,  without  regard- 
ing, or  even  thinking  of,  the  consequences.  Many 
of  those  to  whom  it  was  extended  had  no  concep- 
tion of  the  source  that  supplied  them,  and  believed 
the  comforts  they  received  were,  indeed,  drawn 
from  stores  provided  for  the  hospital  department. 

06.  On  this  campaign,  a  soldier  one  morning,  with 
a  wo-begone  countenance,  approached  the  general, 
stating  that  he  was  nearly  starved,  that  he  had  no- 
thing to  eat,  and  could  not  imagine  what  he  should  do. 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  6? 

He  was  the  more  encouraged  to  complain,  from  per- 
ceiving that  the  general,  who  had  seated  himself  at 
the  root  of  a  tree,  waiting  the  coming  up  of  the  rear 
of  the  army,  was  busily  engaged  in  eating  some- 
thing. The  poor  fellow  was  impressed  with  the  be- 
lief, from  what  he  saw,  that  want  only  attached  to 
the  soldiers  ;  and  that  the  officers,  particularly  the 
general,  were  liberally  and  well  supplied.  He  ac- 
cordingly approached  him  with  great  confidence  of 
being  relieved  ;  Jackson  told  him  that  it  had  always 
been  a  rule  with  him  never  to  turn  away  a  hungry 
man  when  it  was  in  his  power  to  relieve  him.  "  1 
will  most  cheerfully,"  said  he,  "divide  with  you  what  I 
have  ;"  and  putting  his  hand  to  his  pocket,  drew  forth 
a  few  acorns,  from  which  he  had  been  feasting,  add- 
ing, it  was  the  best  and  only  fare  he  had.  The 
soldier  seemed  much  surprised,  and  forthwith  cir- 
culated among  his  comrades  that  their  general  was 
actually  subsisting  upon  acorns,  and  that  they  ought 
hence  no  more  to  complain.  From  this  circum- 
stance was  derived  the  story  heretofore  published 
to  the  world,  that  Jackson,  about  the  period  of  his 
greatest  suffering,  and  with  a  view  to  inspirit  them, 
had  invited  his  officers  to  dine  with  him,  and  pre- 
sented for  their  repast  water  and  a  tray  of  acorns. 

67.  But  while  General  Jackson  remained  wholly 
unmoved  by  his  own  privations,  he  was  filled  with 
solicitude  and  concern  for  his  army.  His  utmost 
exertions,  unceasingly  applied,  were  insufficient  to 
remove  the  suflTerings  to  which  he  saw  them  ex- 
posed ;  and  although  they  were  by  no  means  so  great 
as  were  represented,  yet  were  they  undoubtedly  such 
as  to  be  sensibly  and  severely  felt.  Discontents, 
and  a  desire  to  return  home,  arose,  and  presently 
spread  through  the  camp ;  and  these  were  still 
further  imbittered  and  augmented  by  the  arts  of  a 
few  designing  officers,  who,  believing  that  the  cam- 
paign would  now  break  up,  hoped  to  make  them- 
selves popular  on  the  return,  by  encouraging  and 


64  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

taking  part  in  the  complaints  of  the  soldiery.  It  is 
a  singular  fact,  that  those  officers  who  pretended  on 
this  occasion  to  feel  most  sensibly  for  the  wants  of 
the  army,  and  w^ho  contrived  most  effectually  to  in- 
stigate it  to  revolt,  had  never  themselves  been  with- 
out provisions ;  and  were,  at  that  very  moment,  en- 
joying in  abundance  what  would  have  reUeved  the 
distresses  of  many,  had  it  been  as  generously  and 
freely  distributed  as  were  their  words  of  advice  and 
condolence. 

68.  During  this  period  of  scarcity  and  discontent, 
small  quantities  of  supplies  were  occasionally  for- 
warded by  the  contractors,  but  not  a  sufficiency  for 
present  want,  and  still  less  to  remove  the  apprehen- 
sions that  were  entertained  for  the  future.  At 
length,  revolt  began  to  show  itself  openly.  The  of- 
ficers and  sdldiers  of  the  militia,  collecting  in  their 
tents  and  talking  over  their  grievances,  determined 
to  yield  up  their  patriotism  and  to  abandon  the 
camp.  To  this  measure  there  were  good  evidences 
for  believing  that  several  of  the  officers  of  the  old 
volunteer  corps  exerted  tliemselves  clandestinely, 
and  with  great  industry,  to  instigate  them  ;  looking 
upon  themselves  somewhat  in  the  light  of  veterans, 
from  the  discipline  they  had  acquired  in  the  expedi- 
tion to  the  lower  country,  they  were  unwilling  to  be 
seen  foremost  in  setting  an  example  of  mutiny,  and 
wished  to  make  the  defection  of  others  a  pretext  for 
their  own. 

69.  Jackson,  apprized  of  their  determination  to 
abandon  him,  resolved  to  oppose  it, and  at  all  hazard 
to  prevent  a  departure.  In  the  morning,  when  they 
were  to  carry  their  intentions  into  execution,  he 
drew  up  the  volunteers  in  front  of  them,  with  posi- 
tive commands  to  prevent  their  progress,  and  com- 
pel them  to  return  to  their  former  position  in  the 
camp.  The  militia,  seeing  this,  and  fearing  the  con- 
sequences of  persisting  in  their  purpose,  at  once 
abandoned  it,  and  returned  to  their  quarters  without 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  65 

further  murmuring,  extolling,  in  the  highest  terms, 
the  unalterable  firmness  of  the  general. 

70.  The  next  day,  however,  presented  a  singular 
scene.  The  volunteers,  who  the  day  before  had 
been  the  instruments  for  compelling  the  militia  to 
return  to  their  duty,  seeing  the  destruction  of  those 
hopes  on  which  they  had  lately  built  in  turn  began 
themselves  to  mutiny.  Their  opposition  to  the  de- 
parture of  the  militia  was  bat  a  mere  pretence  to  es- 
cape suspicion,  for  they  silently  wished  them  suc- 
cess. They  now  determined  to  move  off  in  a  body, 
believing,  from  the  known  disaffection  in  the  camp, 
that  the  general  could  find  no  means  to  prevent  it. 
What  was  their  surprise,  however,  when,  on  at- 
tempting to  eflectuate  their  resolves,  they  found  the 
same  men  whom  they  had  so  lately  opposed  occu- 
pying the  very  position  which  they  had  done  the  day 
previous  for  a  similar  purpose,  and  manifesting  a 
fixed  determination  to  obey  the  orders  of  their  gen- 
eral !  All  they  ventured  to  do  was  to  take  the  ex- 
ample through  ;  and,  like  them,  move  back  in  peace 
and  quietness  to  their  quarters.  This  was  a  curious 
change  of  circumstances,  when  we  consider  in  how 
short  a  time  it  happened ;  but  the  conduct  of  the 
militia,  on  this  occasion,  must  be  ascribed  to  the  in- 
genuity and  management  of  the  general,  and  to  the 
gratification  they  felt  in  being  able  to  defeat  the 
views  of  those  who  had  so  lately  tliwarted  their 
own.  To  this  may  be  also  added  the  consciousness 
all  must  have  entertained,  that  the  privations  of 
which  they  complained  were  far  less  grievous  than 
they  had  represented  them  ;  by  no  means  sufficient 
to  justify  revolt,  and  not  greater  than  patriots  might 
be  expected  to  bear  without  a  murmur,  when  ob- 
jects of  such  high  consideration  were  before  them. 
But,  anxious  to  return  to  their  families  and  kindred, 
wearied  of  their  difficulties  and  sufferings,  and  de- 
sirous to  recount  the  brilliant  exploits  of  their  first 
battle,  they  seized  with  eagerness  every  pretext  for 

F2 


66  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

exoneration,  and  listened  with  too  much  docility  to 
the  representations  of  those  who  were  influenced  by 
less  honourable  feelings.  Having  many  domestic 
considerations  to  attend  to, — the  first  ebullition  of 
resentment  being  cooled,  and  the  first  impulse  of 
curiosity  gratified,  there  were  no  motives  to  retain 
them  in  the  field  but  a  remaining  sense  of  honour, 
and  a  fear  of  disgrace  and  punishment  should  they 
abandon  their  post  without  a  cause.  But  although 
these  motives  were  sufficient  for  the  present,  those 
who  were  governed  by  them  did  not  cease  to  wish 
that  a  more  plausible  apology  might  off"er  for  dis- 
pensing with  their  operation.  The  militia  contin- 
ued to  show  a  much  more  obedient  and  patriotic 
disposition  than  the  volunteers;  who,  having  adopted 
a  course  which  they  discovered  must  finally  involve 
them  in  dishonour,  if  it  should  fail,  were  exceed- 
ingly anxious  for  its  success,  and  that  it  might  have 
the  appearance  of  being  founded  on  justice.  On 
this  subject  the  pretensions  of  the  cavalry  were  cer- 
tainly much  better  established ;  as  they  were  en- 
tirely without  forage,  and  without  the  prospect  of 
speedily  obtaining  any.  They  petitioned,  therefore, 
to  be  permitted  to  return  into  the  settled  parts  of  the 
country,  pledging  themselves,  by  their  platoon  and 
field-officers,  that  if  sufficient  time  were  allowed  to 
recruit  the  exhausted  state  of  their  horses,  and  to 
procure  their  winter  clothing,  they  would  return  to 
the  performance  of  their  duty  whenever  called  on 
The  general,  unable  from  many  causes  to  prosecute 
the  campaign,  and  confiding  in  the  assurance  given, 
granted  the  prayer  of  their  petition,  and  they  imme- 
diately set  out  on  their  return. 

71.  About  this  time,  General  Jackson's  prospect 
of  being  able  to  maintain  the  conquests  he  had  made 
began  to  be  cheered  by  letters  just  received  from 
the  contractors  and  principal  wagon-master,  stating 
that  sufficient  supplies  for  the  army  were  then  on 
the  road,  and  would  shortly  arrive  ;  but  discontents, 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,  1813.  67 

to  an  alarming  degree,  still  prevailed  in  his  camp. 
To  allay  them,  if  possible,  he  hastened  to  lay  before 
the  division  the  information  and  letters  he  had  re- 
ceived ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  invited  the  field  and 
platoon  officers  to  his  quarters,  to  consult  on  the 
measures  proper  to  be  pursued.  Having  assembled 
them,  and  well  knowing  that  the  flame  of  discontent 
which  had  so  lately  shown  itself  was  only  for  the 
present  smothered,  and  might  yet  burst  forth  in  se- 
rious injury,  he  addressed  them  in  an  animated 
speech,  in  which  he  extolled  their  patriotism  and 
achievements ;  lamented  the  privations  to  which 
they  had  been  exposed,  and  endeavoured  to  reani- 
mate them  by  the  prospect  of  speedy  relief,  which 
he  expected  with  confidence  on  the  following  day.  He 
spoke  of  the  immense  importance  of  the  conquests 
they  had  already  made,  and  of  the  dreadful  conse- 
quences that  must  result,  should  they  be  now  aban- 
doned. "  What,"  continued  he,  "  is  the  present  situ- 
ation of  our  camp  1  A  number  of  our  fellow-soldiers 
are  wounded,  and  unable  to  help  themselves.  Shall  it 
be  said  that  we  are  so  lost  to  humanity  as  to  leave 
them  in  this  condition  ?  Can  any  one,  under  these 
circumstances  and  under  these  prospects,  consent 
to  an  abandonment  of  the  camp  1 — of  all  that  we 
have  acquired  in  the  midst  of  so  many  difficulties, 
privations,  and  dangers  1  of  what  it  will  cost  us  so 
much  to  regain  ]  of  what  we  never  can  regain, — 
our  brave  wounded  companions,who  will  be  murdered 
by  our  unthinking,  unfeeling  inhumanity!  Surely 
there  can  be  none  such  !  No  :  we  will  take  with 
us,  when  we  go,  our  wounded  and  sick.  They 
must  not — shall  not  perish  by  our  cold-blooded  in- 
difference. But  why  should  you  despond  ?  I  do 
not,  and  yet  your  wants  are  not  greater  than  mine. 
To  be  sure  we  do  not  live  sumptuously  :  but  no  one 
has  died  of  hunger,  or  is  likely  to  die  ;  and  then 
how  animating  are  our  prospects !  Large  supplies 
are  at  Deposit,  and  already  are  officers  despatched 


68  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

to  hasten  them  on.  Wagons  are  on  the  way;  a 
large  number  of  beeves  are  in  the  neighbourhood  ; 
and  detachments  are  out  to  bring  them  in.  All 
these  resources  surely  cannot  fail.  I  have  no  wish 
to  starve  you — none  to  deceive  you.  Stay  content- 
edly ;  and  if  supplies  do  not  arrive  within  two  days, 
we  will  all  march  back  together,  and  throw  the 
blame  of  our  failure  where  it  should  properly  lie  ; 
until  then  we  certainly  have  the  means  of  subsist- 
ing ;  and  if  we  are  compelled  to  bear  privations,  let 
us  remember  that  they  are  borne  for  our  country, 
and  are  not  greater  than  many — perhaps  most 
armies  have  been  compelled  to  endure.  I  have 
called  you  together  to  tell  you  my  feelings  and  my 
wishes ;  this  evening  think  on  them  seriously,  and 
let  me  know  yours  in  the  morning." 

72.  Having  retired  to  their  tents,  and  deliberated 
on  the  measures  most  proper  to  be  adopted  in  this 
emergency,  the  officers  of  the  volunteer  brigade 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  "  nothing  short  of 
marching  tjie  army  immediately  back  to  the  settle- 
ments could  prevent  those  difficulties  and  that  dis- 
grace which  must  attend  a  forcible  desertion  of  the 
camp  by  his  soldiers."  The  officers  of  the  militia 
determined  differentl}^  and  reported  a  willingness 
to  maintain  the  post  a  few  days  longer,  that  it  might 
be  ascertained  whether  or  not  a  sufficiency  of  pro- 
visions could  really  be  had.  "  If  it  can,  let  us  pro- 
ceed with  the  campaign  ;  if  not,  let  us  be  marched 
back  to  where  it  can  be  procured."  The  general,  who 
greatly  preferred  the  latter  opinion,  nevertheless,  to 
allay  excitement,  was  disposed  to  gratify  those  who 
appeared  unwiUing  to  submit  to  further  hardships  ; 
and  with  this  view  ordered  General  Hall  to  march 
his  brigade  to  Fort  Deposit;  and,  after  satisfying 
their  wants,  to  return,  and  act  as  an  escort  to  the 
provisions.  The  second  regiment,  however,  unwill- 
ing to  be  outdone  by  the  militia,  consented  to  re- 
main; and  the  first  rroceeded  alone.     On  this  occa- 


III. J  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,   1813.  69 

sion  he  could  not  forbear  to  remark,  that  men  for 
whom  he  had  ever  cherished  so  warm  an  affection, 
and  for  whom  he  would  at  all  times  have  made  any 
sacrifice,  desiring  to  abandon  him  at  a  moment 
when  their  presence  was  so  particularly  necessarv, 
filled  him  with  emotions  which  the  strongest  lan- 
guage was  too  feeble  to  express.  "  I  was  prepared,'' 
he  continued,  "  to  endure  every  evil  but  disgrace  ; 
and  this,  as  I  never  can  submit  to  myself,  I  can  give 
no  encouragement  to  in  others." 

73.  Two  days  had  elapsed  since  the  departure  of 
the  volunteers,  and  supplies  had  not  arrived.  The 
militia,  with  great  earnestness,  now  demanded  a 
performance  of  the  pledge  that  had  been  given — 
that  they  should  be  marched  back  to  the  settlements. 
Jackson,  on  giving  them  an  assurance  that  they 
should  return  if  relief  did  not  reach  them  in  two 
days,  had  indulged  a  confidence  that  it  would  cer- 
tainly arrive  by  that  time  ;  and  now,  from  the  infor- 
mation he  had  received,  felt  more  than  ever  certain 
that  it  could  not  be  far  distant.  Having,  however, 
pledged  himself,  he  could  use  no  arguments  or  en- 
treaties to  detain  them  any  longer,  and  immediately 
took  measures  for  complying  with  their  wishes  and 
the  promise  he  had  made  them.  This  was  to  him  a 
moment  of  the  deepest  dejection.  He  foresaw  how 
difficult  it  would  be  ever  to  accomplish  the  object 
upon  which  his  heart  was  so  devoutly  fixed,  should 
he  lose  the  men  who  were  now  with  him  ;  or  even 
to  regain  the  conquests  he  had  made,  if  his  present 
posts  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
While  thus  pondering  on  the  gloomy  prospect,  he 
lifted  up  his  hands  and  exclaimed,  with  a  look  and 
manner  which  showed  how  much  he  felt,  "  If  only 
two  men  will  remain  with  me,  I  will  never  abandon 
this  post."  Captain  Gordon,  of  the  spies,  face- 
tiously replied,  "  You  have  one,  general,  let  us  look 
if  we  can't  find  another;"  and  immediately,  with  a 
zeal  suited  to  the  occasion,  undertook,  with  some 


70  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

of  the  general  staff,  to  raise  volunteers ;  and  in  a 
little  while  succeeded  in  procuring  one  hundred  and 
nine,  who  declared  a  determination  to  remain  and 
protect  the  post.  The  general,  greatly  rejoiced 
that  he  would  not  be  compelled  to  an  entire  aban- 
donment of  his  position,  now  set  out  towards  De- 
posit with  the  remainder  of  the  army,  who  were 
given  distinctly  to  understand,  that  on  meeting  sup- 
plies, they  were  to  return  and  prosecute  the  cam- 
paign. This  was  an  event  which,  as  it  had  been 
expected  and  foretold,  soon  took  place.  They  had 
not  proceeded  more  than  ten  or  twelve  miles,  when 
they  met  a  hundred  and  fifty  beeves  ;  but  a  sight 
which  gave  to  Jackson  so  much  satisfaction  was  to 
them  the  most  disagreeable  and  unwelcome.  Their 
faces  being  now  turned  towards  home,  no  spectacle 
could  be  more  hateful  than  one  which  was  to 
change  their  destination.  They  were  halted ;  and, 
having  satisfied  their  hungry  appetites,  the  troops, 
with  the  exception  of  such  as  M'ere  necessary  to 
proceed  with  the  sick  and  wounded,  were  ordered 
to  return  to  the  encampment — he  himself  intending 
to  see  the  contractors,  and  establish  more  effectual 
arrangements  for  the  future.  So  great  was  their 
aversion  to  returning  that  they  preferred  a  violation 
of  their  duty  and  their  pledged  honour.  Low  mur- 
murings  ran  along  the  lines,  and  presently  broke 
out  into  open  mutiny.  In  spite  of  the  order  they 
had  received,  they  began  to  revolt,  and  one  company 
was  already  moving  off  in  a  direction  towards 
home.  They  had  proceeded  some  distance  before 
information  of  their  departure  was  had  by  Jackson. 
Irritated  at  their  conduct,  in  attempting  to  violate 
the  promise  they  had  given,  and  knowing  that  the 
success  of  future  operations  depended  on  the  result, 
the  general  pursued,  until  he  came  near  a  part  of 
his  staff  and  a  few  soldiers,  who,  with  General 
Coffee,  had  halted  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  ahead. 
He  ordered  them  to  form  immediately  across  the 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  71 

road,  and  to  fire  on  the  mutineers  if  they  attempted 
to  proceed.  Snatching  up  their  arms,  these  faithful 
adherents  presented  a  front  which  threw  the  desert- 
ers into  affright,  and  caused  them  to  retreat  precipi- 
tately to  the  main  body.  Here  it  was  hoped  the 
matter  would  end,  and  that  no  further  opposition 
would  be  made  to  returning.  This  expectation  was 
not  realized  ;  a  mutinous  temper  began  presently  to 
display  itself  throughout  the  whole  brigade.  Jack- 
son, having  left  his  aid-de-camp,  Major  Reid,  en- 
gaged in  making  up  some  despatches,  had  gone  out 
alone  among  his  troops,  who  were  at  some  distance  ; 
on  his  arrival  he  found  a  much  more  extensive  mu- 
tiny than  that  which  had  just  been  quelled.  Almost 
the  whole  brigade  had  put  itself  into  an  attitude  for 
moving  forcibly  off.  A  crisis  had  arrived ;  and, 
feeling  its  importance,  he  determined  to  take  no 
middle  ground,  but  to  triumph  or  perish.  He  was 
still  without  the  use  of  his  left  arm,  but,  seizing  a 
musket,  and  resting  it  on  the  neck  of  his  horse,  he 
threw  himself  in  front  of  the  column,  and  threat- 
ened to  shoot  the  first  man  who  should  attempt  to 
advance.  In  this  situation  he  was  found  by  Major 
Reid  and  General  Coffee  ;  who,  fearing,  from  the 
length  of  his  absence,  that  some  disturbance  had 
arisen,  hastened  where  he  was,  and,  placing  them- 
selves by  his  side,  awaited  the  result  in  anxious  ex- 
pectation. For  many  minutes  the  column  pre- 
served a  sullen,  yet  hesitating  attitude,  fearing  to 
proceed  in  their  purpose,  and  disliking  to  abandon 
it.  In  the  mean  time,  those  who  remained  faithful 
to  their  duty,  amounting  to  about  two  companies, 
were  collected  and  formed  at  a  short  distance  in  ad- 
vance of  the  troops  and  in  rear  of  the  general,  with 
positive  directions  to  imitate  his  example  in  firing 
if  they  attempted  to  proceed.  At  length,  finding  no 
one  bold  enough  to  advance,  and  overtaken  by  those 
fears  which  in  the  hour  of  peril  always  beset  per- 
sons engaged  in  what  they  know  to  be  a  bad  cause. 


72  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

they  abandoned  their  purpose,  and  turning  quietly 
round,  agreed  to  return  to  their  postb.  It  is  very 
certain,  that  but  for  the  firmness  of  the  general  at 
this  critical  moment,  the  campaign  would  have  been 
broken  up,  and  most  probably  not  commenced  again. 

74.  Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Talladega,  the  Hil- 
labee  tribes,  who  had  been  the  principal  sufferers  on 
that  occasion,  applied  to  General  Jackson  for  peace  ; 
declaring  their  willingness  to  receive  it  on  such 
terms  as  he  might  be  pleased  to  dictate.  His  de- 
cision had  been  already  returned,  stating  to  them 
that  his  government  had  taken  up  arms  to  bring  to 
a  proper  sense  of  duty  a  people  to  whom  she  had 
ever  shown  the  utmost  kindness,  but  who,  never- 
theless, had  committed  against  her  citizens  the  most 
unprovoked  depredations ;  and  that  she  would  lay 
them  down  only  when  certain  that  this  object  was 
attained.  "  Upon  those,"  continued  he,  "  who  are 
friendly,  I  neither  wish  nor  intend  to  make  war ;  but 
they  must  afford  evidences  of  the  sincerity  of  their 
professions ;  the  prisoners  and  property  they  have 
taken  from  us,  and  the  friendly  Creeks,  must  be  re- 
stored ;  the  instigators  of  the  war,  and  the  murder- 
ers of  our  citizens,  must  be  surrendered  ;  the  latter 
must  and  will  be  made  to  feel  the  force  of  our  re- 
sentment. Long  shall  they  remember  Fort  Mimms, 
in  bitterness  and  tears." 

75.  Having  stated  to  General  Cocke,  whose  di- 
vision was  acting  in  this  section  of  the  nation,  the 
propositions  that  had  been  made  by  the  Hillabee 
clans,  with  the  answer  he  returned,  and  urged  him 
to  detach  to  Fort  Strother  six  hundred  of  his  men, 
to  aid  in  the  defence  of  that  place  during  his  ab- 
sence, and  in  the  operations  he  intended  to  resume 
on  his  return,  he  proceeded  to  Deposit  and  Ditto's 
Landing,  where  the  most  effectual  means  in  his 
power  were  taken  with  the  contractors  for  obtaining 
regular  supplies  in  future.  They  were  required  to 
furnish  immediately  thirty   days'  rations  at  Fort 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,     1813.  73 

Strother,  forty  at  Talladega,  and  as  many  at  the 
junction  of  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa ;  two  hun- 
dred packhorses  and  forty  wagons  were  put  in  re- 
quisition to  facilitate  their  transportation.  Under- 
standing now  that  the  whole  detachment  from  Ten- 
nessee had  by  the  president  been  received  mto  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  he  persuaded  himself 
that  the  difficulties  he  had  heretofore  encountered 
would  not  recur,  and  that  the  want  of  supplies 
would  not  again  be  a  cause  of  impeding  his  opera- 
tions. He  now  looked  forward,  with  sanguine  ex- 
pectations, to  the  speedy  accomplishment  of  the 
objects  of  the  expedition. 

76.  The  volunteers  who  were  at  Deposit  began 
to  manifest  the  same  unwillingness  to  return  to 
their  duty  that  the  militia  had  done,  and  were  about 
to  break  out  into  the  same  spirit  of  mutiny  and  re- 
volt; but  were  restrained  by  an  animated  address 
of  the  general,  who,  having  assembled  them  to- 
gether, painted  in  the  most  glowing  colours  all  the 
consequences  that  were  to  be  apprehended,  if,  from 
any  defalcation  of  theirs,  the  campaign  should  be 
abandoned  or  ineffectually  prosecuted.  By  this 
means  he  succeeded  once  more  in  restoring  quiet- 
ness to  his  troops. 

77.  He  now  set  out  on  his  return  to  Fort  Stro- 
ther, and  was  delighted  to  find,  by  the  progress  of 
the  works,  the  industry  that  had  been  used  in  his 
absence.  But  the  satisfaction  he  felt,  and  the  hopes 
he  began  to  cherish,  were  of  short  continuance. 
Although  he  had  succeeded  in  stilling  the  tumult 
of  the  volunteers,  and  in  prevailing  on  them  to  re- 
turn to  their  posts,  it  was  soon  discovered  he  had 
not  eradicated  their  deep-rooted  aversion  to  a  fur- 
ther prosecution  of  the  war.  Nothing  is  more 
difficult  than  to  reanimate  men  who  have  once  lost 
their  spirits,  or  inspire  with  new  ardour  those  in 
whom  it  has  lately  become  extinct.  Even  where 
the  evils  which  produced  the  change  are  removed 

G 


74  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

apologies  will  be  sought,  and  pretexts  seized,  for 
justifying  and  preserving  the  present  tone  of  mind. 
The  volunteers,  who  had  so  lately  clamoured  about 
bread,  now,  when  they  were  no  longer  hungry,  be- 
gan to  clamour,  with  equal  earnestness,  about  their 
term  of  service.  Having  latel)^  made  an  effort  to 
forsake  the  drudgery  of  the  field,  and  failed,  they 
were  disposed  to  avail  themselves  of  any  pretexts, 
seemingly  plausible,  to  obtain  success.  They  in- 
sisted that  the  period  for  which  they  had  undertaken 
to  act  would  end  on  the  10th  of  December,  that 
being  the  termination  of  a  year  from  the  day  they 
had  first  entered  into  service  ;  and  although  they 
had  been  a  great  part  of  the  time  disengaged,  and 
unemployed,  that  recess  was  nevertheless  to  be 
taken  into  the  computation.  Jackson  replied  that 
the  law  of »  congress  under  which  they  had  been 
tendered  and  accepted,  requiring  one  year's  service 
out  of  two,  could  contemplate  nothing  less  than  an 
actual  service  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  da)'S  ; 
and,  until  that  were  performed,  he  could  not,  unless 
specially  authorized,  undertake  to  discharge  them. 
But  as  this  was  a  question  not  likely  to  be  settled 
by  argument,  and  as  the  consequences  were  easily 
to  be  foreseen  if  they  should  persist  in  their  de- 
mands, the  general  began  to  think  of  providing 
other  means  for  a  continuance  of  the  campaign, 
that,  even  in  the  worst  extreme,  he  might  not  be 
unprepared  to  act.  Ordering  General  Roberts  to 
return,  and  fill  up  the  deficiencies  in  his  brigade,  he 
now  despatched  Colonel  Carroll  and  Major  Searcy, 
one  of  his  aids-de-camp,  into  Tennessee,  to  raise 
volunteers  for  six  months,  or  during  the  campaign ; 
writing,  at  the  same  time,  to  many  respectable  char- 
acters, he  exhorted  them  to  contribute  all  their 
assistance  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  object. 
To  a  letter  just  received  from  the  Reverend  Gideon 
Blackburn,  assuring  him  that  volunteers  from  Ten 
nessee  would  eagerly  hasten  to  his  relief,  if  they 


\ 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  75 

knew  their  services  were  wanted,  he  replied, 
"  Reverend  Sir, — Your  letter  has  been  just  re- 
ceived :  1  thank  you  for  it ;  I  thank  you  most  sin- 
cerely. It  arrived  at  a  moment  when  my  spirits 
needed  such  a  support. 

78.  "  I  left  Tennessee  with  an  army,  brave,  I  be- 
lieve, as  any  general  ever  commanded.  I  have  seen 
them  in  battle,  and  my  opinion  of  their  bravery  is 
not  changed.  But  their  fortitude — on  this  too  I  re- 
lied— has  been  too  severely  tested.  Perhaps  1  was 
wrong  in  believing  that  nothing  but  death  could 
conquer  the  spirits  of  brave  men.  I  am  sure  I  was  ; 
for  my  men,  I  know,  are  brave ;  yet  privations  have 
rendered  them  discontented  :  that  is  enough.  The 
expedition  must  nevertheless  be  prosecuted  to  a 
successful  termination.  New  volunteers  must  be 
raised,  to  conclude  what  has  been  so  auspiciously 
begun  by  the  old  ones.  Gladly  would  I  save  these 
men  from  themselves,  and  ensure  them  a  harvest 
which  they  have  sown;  but  if  they  will  abandon  it 
to  others,  it  must  be  so. 

79.  '*  You  are  good  enough  to  say,  if  I  need  your 
assistance,  it  will  be  cheerfully  afforded :  I  do  need 
it  greatly.  The  influence  you  possess  over  the 
minds  of  men  is  great  and  well-founded,  and  can 
never  be  better  applied  than  in  summoning  volun- 
teers to  the  defence  of  their  country,  their  liberty, 
and  their  religion.  While  we  fight  the  savage,  who 
makes  war  only  because  he  delights  in  blood,  and 
who  has  gotten  his  booty  when  he  has  scalped  his 
victim,  we  are,  through  him,  contending  against  an 
enemy  of  more  inveterate  character  and  deeper 
design — who  would  demolish  a  fabric  cemented  by 
the  blood  of  our  fathers,  and  endeared  to  us  by  all 
the  happiness  we  enjoy.  So  far  as  my  exertions 
can  contribute,  the  purposes  both  of  the  savage 
and  his  instigator  shall  be  defeated  ;  and  so  far  as 
yours  can,  I  hope — I  know  they  will  be  employed. 


70  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

I  have  said  enough. — I  want  men,  and  want  them 
immediately." 

80.  Anxious  to  prosecute  the  campaign  as  soon 
as  possible,  that  by  employing  his  troops  actively 
he  might  dispel  from  their  minds  those  discontents 
so  frequently  manifested, he  wrote  to  General  Cocke, 
desiring  and  uriring  him  to  unite  with  him  imme- 
diately at  the  Ten  Islands,  with  fifteen  hundred 
men.  He  assured  him  that  the  mounted  men,  who 
had  returned  to  the  settlements  for  subsistence,  and 
to  recruit  their  horses,  would  arrive  by  the  12th  of 
the  month.  He  wished  to  commence  his  operations 
directly,  "knowing  they  would  be  prepared  for  it, 
and  well  knowing  they  would  require  it.  I  am 
astonished,"  he  continued,  "  to  hear  that  your  sup- 
plies continue  deficient.  In  the  name  of  God,  what 
are  the  contfactors  doing,  and  about  what  are  they 
engaged  1  Every  letter  I  receive  from  Governor 
Blount  assures  me  I  am  to  receive  plentiful  supplies 
from  them,  and  seems  to  take  for  granted,  notwith- 
standing all  I  have  said  to  the  contrary,  that  they 
have  been  hitherto  regularly  furnished.  Consid- 
ering the  generous  loan  the  state  has  made  for 
this  purpose,  and  the  facility  of  procuring  bread- 
stufts  ill  East  Tennessee,  and  the  transporting  them 
by  water  to  Fort  Deposit,  it  is  to  me  wholly  unac- 
countable that  not  a  pound  has  ever  arrived  at  that 
place.  This  evil  must  continue  no  longer — it  must 
be  remedied,  I  expect,  therefore,  and  thrc-ugh  you 
must  require,  that  in  twenty  days  they  furnish  at 
Deposit  every  necessary  supply." 

81.  While  these  measures  were  taking,  the  volun- 
teers, through  several  of  their  officers,  were  press- 
ing on  the  consideration  of  the  general  the  expira- 
tion of  their  service,  and  claiming  to  be  discharged 
on  the  10th  of  the  month.  From  the  colonel  who 
commanded  the  second  regiment  he  received  a 
letter,  dated  the  4th  of  December,  1813,  in  which 
was  attempted  to  be  detailed  their  whole  ground  ol 


m.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  77 

complaint.  He  began  by  stating-,  that  painful  as  it 
was,  he  nevertheless  felt  himself  bound  to  disclose 
an  important  and  unpleasant  truth :  that,  on  the 
10th,  the  service  would  be  deprived  of  the  regiment 
he  commanded.  He  seemed  to  deplore,  with  great 
sensibility,  the  scene  that  would  be  exhibited  on  that 
day,  should  opposition  be  made  to  their  departure  ; 
and  still  more  sensibly,  the  consequences  that 
would  result  from  a  disorderly  abandonment  of  the 
camp.  He  stated  they  had  all  considered  them- 
selves finally  discharged  on  the  20th  of  April,  1813, 
and  never  knew  to  the  contrary  until  they  saw  his 
order  of  the  Sith  of  September,  1813,  requiring 
them  to  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville  on  the  4th  of 
October,  1813  ;  for  the  first  time,  they  then  learned 
that  they  owed  further  services,  their  discharge  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding.  "Thus  situated, 
there  was  considerable  opposition  to  the  order  ;  on 
which  the  officers  generally,  as  T  am  advised,  and  I 
know  myself  in  particular,  gave  it  as  an  unequivocal 
opinion  that  their  term  of  service  would  terminate 
on  the  10th  of  December,  1813. 

82.  "  They  therefore  look  to  their  general,  who 
has  their  confidence,  for  an  honourable  discharge 
on  that  day ;  and  that,  in  every  respect,  he  will  see 
that  justice  be  done  them.  They  regret  that  their 
particular  situations  and  circumstances  require  them 
to  leave  their  general  at  a  time  when  their  services 
are  important  to  the  common  cause.  It  would  be 
desirable,"  he  continued,  "  that  those  men  who  have 
served  with  honour  should  be  honourably  dis- 
charged, and  that  they  should  return  to  their  fami- 
lies and  friends  without  even  the  semblance  of  dis- 
grace ;  with  their  general  they  leave  it  to  place  them 
in  that  situation.  They  have  received  him  as  an 
affectionate  father,  while  they  have  honoured,  re- 
vered, and  obeyed  him  ;  but,  having  devoted  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  their  time  to  the  service  of  their 
country,  by  which  their  domestic  concerns  ara 
.G2 


78  LIFE    OF    JACKSr^N.  [cHAP. 

greatly  deranged,  they  wish  to  return,  and  attend  to 
their  own  affairs." 

83.  Although  this  communication  announced  the 
determination  of  only  a  part  of  the  volunteer  bri- 
gade, he  had  already  abundant  evidence  that  the 
defection  was  but  too  general.  The  difficulties 
which  the  general  had  heretofore  been  compelled 
to  encounter,  from  the  discontents  of  his  troops, 
might  well  induce  him  to  regret  that  a  spirit  of  in- 
subordination should  again  threaten  to  appear  in  his 
camp.  That  he  might,  if  possible,  prevent  it,  he 
hastened  to  lay  before  them  the  error  and  impro- 
priety of  their  views,  and  the  consequences  in- 
volved, should  they  persist  in  their  purpose. 

84.  "  1  know  not,"  he  observed,  "  what  scenes 
will  be  exhibited  on  the  10th  instant,  nor  what 
consequenc€;s  are  to  flow  from  them  here  or  else- 
where ;  but  as  I  shall  have  the  consciousness  that 
they  are  not  imputable  to  any  misconduct  of  mine, 
I  trust  1  shall  have  the  firmness  not  to  shrink  from  a 
discharge  of  my  duty.  It  will  be  well,  however, 
for  those  who  intend  to  become  actors  in  those 
scenes,  and  who  are  about  to  hazard  so  much  on  the 
correctness  of  their  opinions,  to  examine  before- 
hand, with  great  caution  and  deliberation,  the 
grounds  on  which  their  pretensions  rest.  Are  they 
founded  on  any  false  assurances  of  mine,  or  upon 
any  deception  that  has  been  practised  towards  Ihemi 
Was  not  the  act  of  congress  under  which  they  are 
engaged  directed,  by  my  general  order,  to  be  read, 
and  expounded  to  them  before  they  enrolled  them- 
selves 1  That  order  will  testify,  and  so  will  the  re- 
collection of  every  general  officer  of  nu'^  division. 
It  is  not  pretended,  that  those  who  now  claim  to  be 
discharged  were  not  legally  and  fairly  enrolled  under 
the  act  of  congress  of  the  6th  of  February.  1812. 
Have  they  performed  the  service  required  of  them 
by  that  act,  and  which  they  then  solemnly  under- 
took to  perform  ]     That  required  one  year's  service 


in.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  79 

out  of  two,  to  be  computed  from  the  day  of  ren- 
dezvous, unless  they  should  be  sooner  discharged. 
Has  one  year's  service  been  performed  ]  This 
cannot  be  seriously  pretended.  Have  they  then 
been  discharged  1  It  is  said  they  have,  and  by  me. 
To  account  for  so  extraordinary  a  belief,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  take  a  review  of  past  circumstances. 

85.    "  More   than  twelve   months   have   elapsed 
since  we  were  called  upon  to  avenge  the  injured 
rights  of  our  country.     We  obeyed  the  call !     In 
the  midst  of  hardships,  which  none  but  those  to 
whom  liberty  is  dear  could  have  borne  without  a 
murmur,  we  descended  the  Mississippi.     It  was  be- 
lieved our  services  were  wanted  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  just  war  in  which  our  country  was  engaged, 
and  we  were  prepared  to  render  them.     But  though 
we  were  disappointed  in  our  expectations,  we  estab- 
lished for  Tennessee  a  name  which  will  long  do 
her  honour.     At  length,  we  received  a  letter  from 
the  secretary  of  war  directing  our  dismission.     You 
well  recollect  the  circumstances  of  wretchedness 
in  which  this  order  was  calculated  to  place  us.     By 
it  we  were  deprived  of  every  article  of  public  prop- 
erty;  no  provision  was  made  for  the   payment  of 
our  troops,    or   their   subsistence   on   their  return 
march  ;  while   many  of  our   sick,  unable   to   help 
themselves,    must    have    perished.     Against    the 
opinion   of  many,  I   marched  them   back  to  their 
homes  before  I  dismissed  them.     Your  reg:iment,  at 
its  own  request,  was  dismissed  at  Columbia.     This 
was  accompanied  with  a  certificate  to  each  man,  ex- 
pressing the  acts  under  which  he  had  been  enrolled, 
and  the  length  of  the  tour  he  had  performed.     This 
it  is  which  is  now  attempted  to  be  construed  '  a  final 
discharge  ;'  but  surely  it  cannot  be  forgotten  by  any 
officer  or  soldier,  how  sacredly  they  pledged  them- 
selves, before  they  were  dismissed  or  received  that 
certificate,   cheerfully   to   obey  the  voice  of  their 
.<)0untry  if  it  should  re-summon  them  into  service ; 


80  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [ciIAP. 

neither  can  it  be  forg-otten,  I  dare  hope,  for  what 
purpose  that  certificate  was  given  ;  it  was  to  secure, 
if  possible,  to  those  brave  men  who  had  shown  such 
readiness  to  serve  tlieir  country,  certain  extra 
emoUiments,  specified  in  the  seventh  section  of  the 
act  under  which  they  had  eng^ag-ed,  in  the  event 
they  were  not  recalled  into  service  for  the  residue 
of  their  term. 

86.  "  Is  it  true,  then,  that  my  solicitude  for  the  in- 
terest of  the  volunteers  is  to  be  made  by  them  a 
pretext  for  disgracing-  a  name  which  they  have  ren- 
dered illustrious  '?  Is  a  certificate  desig-ned  solely 
for  their  benefit,  to  become  the  rallying  word  for 
mutiny  1 — strange  perversion  of  feeling  and  of  rea- 
soning !  Have  1  really  any  power  to  discharge  men 
whose  term  of  service  has  not  expired?  If  I  were 
weak  or  wicbed  enough  to  attempt  the  exercise  of 
such  a  power,  does  any  one  believe  the  soldier 
would  be  thereby  exonerated  from  the  obligation  he 
has  voluntarily  taken  upon  himself  to  his  govern- 
ment ■?  I  should  become  a  traitor  to  the  important 
concern  which  has  been  intrusted  to  my  manage- 
ment, while  the  soldier,  who  had  been  deceived  by 
a  false  hope  of  liberation,  would  be  still  liable  tore- 
deem  his  pledge;  I  should  disgrace  myself,  with- 
out benefiting  you. 

87.  "  I  can  only  deplore  the  situation  of  those 
officers  who  have  undertaken  to  persuade  their  men 
that  their  term  of  service  will  expire  on  the  10th. 
In  giving  their  opinions  to  this  efl^ect,  they  have 
acted  indiscreetly,  and  without  sufficient  authority. 
It  would  be  the  most  pleasing  act  of  ni}^  life  to  re- 
store them  with  honour  to  their  families.  Nothing 
would  pain  me  more  than  that  any  other  sentiments 
should  be  felt  towards  them  than  those  of  gratitude 
and  esteem.  On  all  occasions,  it  has  been  my 
highest  happiness  to  promote  their  interest,  and 
even  to  gratify  their  wishes,  where,  with  propriety 
it  could  be  done.     When  in  the  lower  country,  be- 


III.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  81 

lieving  that,  in  order  for  their  dismissal,  they  had 
been  improperly  treated,  I  even  solicited  the  govern- 
ment to  discharge  them,  finally,  from  the  obUgations 
into  which  they  had  entered.  You  know  the  answer 
of  the  secretary  of  war, — that  neither  he  nor  the 
president,  as  he  believed,  had  the  power  to  discharge 
them.  How,  then,  can  it  be  required  of  me  to  do  so  ? 
88.  "The  moment  it  is.  signified  to  me  by  any 
competent  authority,  even  by  the  governor  of  Ten- 
nessee, to  whom  I  have  written  on  the  subject,  or 
by  General  Pinckney,  who  is  now  appointed  to  the 
command,  that  the  volunteers  may  be  exonerated, 
from  further  service,  that  moment  I  will  pronounce 
it,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction.  I  have  only  the 
power  of  pronouncing  a  discharge, — not  of  giving  it 
in  any  case :  a  distinction  which  I  would  wish 
should  be  borne  in  mind.  Already  have  I  sent  to 
raise  volunteers,  on  my  responsibility,  to  complete 
a  campaign  which  has  been  so  happily  begun,  and 
thus  far  so  fortunately  prosecuted.  The  moment 
they  arrive,  and  I  am  assured  that,  fired  by  our  ex- 
ploits, they  will  hasten  in  crowds,  on  the  first  inti- 
mation that  we  need  their  services,  they  will  be 
substituted  in  the  place  of  those  who  are  discon- 
tented here;  the  latter  will  then  be  permitted  to 
return  to  their  homes,  with  all  the  honour  which, 
under  such  circumstances,  they  can  carry  along 
with  them.  But  I  still  cherish  the  hope,  that  their 
dissatisfaction  and  complaints  have  been  greatly  ex- 
aggerated. I  cannot,  must  not  believe  that  the 
'  volunteers  of  Tennessee,'  a  name  ever  dear  to 
fame,  will  disgrace  themselves,  and  a  country  which 
they  have  honoured,  by  abandoning  her  standard, 
as  mutineers  and  deserters ;  but  should  I  be  dis- 
appointed, and  compelled  to  resign  this  pleasing 
hope,  one  thing  I  will  not  resign — my  duty.  Mutiny 
and  sedition,  so  long  as  I  possess  the  power  of 
quelling  them,  shall  be  put  down ;  and  even  when 
left  destitute  of  this,  I  will  still  be  found,  in  the  last 


82  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

extremity,  endeavouring  to  discharge  the  duty  1  owe 
my  country  and  myself." 

89.  To  the  platoon  officers,  who  addressed  him  on 
the  same  subject,  he  replied  with  nearly  the  same 
spirited  feeling;  but  discontent  was  too  deeply 
fastened,  and  by  designing  men  had  been  too  art- 
fully fomented,  to  be  removed  by  any  thing  like 
argument  or  entreaty.  At  length,  on  the  evening 
of  the  9th  of  December,  1813.  General  Hail  hastened 
to  the  tent  of  Jackson,  with  information  that  his 
whole  brigade  was  in  a  state  of  mutiny,  and  making 
preparations  to  move  forcibly  off.  This  was  a 
measure  which  every  consideration  of  policy,  dut}^ 
and  honour  required  Jackson  to  oppose ;  and  to 
this  purpose  he  instantly  applied  all  the  means  he 
possessed.  He  immediately  issued  the  following 
general  ord^r  : — "  The  commanding  general  being 
informed  that  an  actual  mutiny  exists  in  his  camp, 
all  officers  and  soldiers  are  commanded  to  put  it 
down.  The  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  first  brigade 
will,  without  delay,  parade  on  the  west  side  of  the 
fort,  and  await  further  orders."  The  artillery  com- 
pany, with  two  small  field-pieces,  being  posted  in 
the  front  and  rear,  and  the  militia,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Wynne,  on  the  eminences,  in  ad- 
vance, were  ordered  to  prevent  any  forcible  departure 
of  the  volunteers. 

90.  The  general  rode  along  the  line,  which  had 
been  previously  formed  agreeabl)-  to  his  orders,  and 
addressed  them,  by  companies,  in  a  strain  of  impas- 
sioned eloquence.  He  feelingly  expatiated  on  their 
former  good  conduct,  and  the  esteem  and  applause 
it  had  secured  them  ;  and  pointed  to  the  disgrace 
which  they  must  heap  upon  themselves,  Iheir 
families,  and  country,  by  persisting,  even  if  they 
could  succeed,  in  their  present  mutiny.  He  told 
them,  however,  they  should  not  succeed  but  by 
passing  over  his  body  ;  that  even  in  opposing  their 
mutinous  spirit,  he   should  perish  honourably — by 


111.]  INDIAN    CAMPAIGN,    1813.  88 

perishing-  at  his  post,  and  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty.  "  Reinforcements,"  he  continued,  "  are  pre- 
paring to  hasten  to  my  assistance  ;  it  cannot  be  long- 
before  they  will  arrive.  I  am,  too,  in  daily  expecta- 
tion of  receiving-  information  whether  you  may  be 
discharged  or  not — until  then,  you  must  not  and 
shall  not  retire.  I  have  done  with  entreaty, — it  has 
been  used  long  enough.  I  will  attempt  it  no  more. 
You  must  now  determine  whether  you  will  go  or 
pe-aceably  remain  ;  if  you  still  persist  in  your  deter- 
mination to  move  forcibly  off,  the  point  between  us 
shall  soon  be  decided."  At  first  they  hesitated: 
he  demanded  an  explicit  and  positive  answer.  They 
still  hesitated,  and  he  commanded  the  artillerist  to 
prepare  the  match  ;  he  himself  remaining  in  front 
of  the  volunteers,  and  within  the  line  of  fire,  which 
he  intended  soon  to  order.  Alarmed  at  his  apparent 
determination,  and  dreading  the  consequences  in- 
volved in  such  a  contest,  "  Let  us  return,"  was 
presently  lisped  along  the  line,  and  soon  after  deter- 
mined upon.  The  officers  now  came  forward  and 
pledged  themselves  for  their  men,  who  either  nodded 
assent  or  openly  expressed  a  willingness  to  retire 
to  their  quarters,  and  remain  without  further  tumult, 
until  information  were  had  or  the  expected  aid 
should  arrive.  Thus  passed  away  a  moment  of  the 
greatest  peril,  and  pregnant  with  important  conse- 
quences. 

91.  This  matchless  and  ever  memorable  scene,  the 
reader  will  observe,  took  place  on  the  10th  of  De- 
cember, 1813 ;  the  volunteers  having  formed  their 
first  rendezvous,  as  he  will  recollect,  on  the  10th  of 
December,  1812.  One  year  had  certainly  expired;  bui 
there  had  not  been  a  year's  service ;  for  they  had 
not  been  in  service  from  the  1st  of  May  to  the  10th 
of  October,  1813  ;  so  that  there  remained  five  months 
of  the  year's  service  to  come.  The  general  was 
right  in  his  construction  of  the  bargain  ;  but,  besides 
this,  to  have  forsaken  the  campaign  in  such  a  man- 


84  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

ner  would  have  been  ruinous  in  the  extreme :  the 
savage  enemy,  not  yet  subdued,  but  exasperated  to 
the  last  degree,  would  have  assailed  the  unprotected 
frontiers,  and  have  drenched  in  the  blood  of  the  de- 
fenceless citizens, 

92.  This  difficulty  got  over  was  by  no  means  the 
last  which  he  had  to  encounter :  discontents  were 
everlastingly  rising  up  in  his  army  ;  the  governor  of 
Tennessee  recommended  him  to  abandon  his  enter- 
prise ;  he  had  to  reject  this  advice  with  scorn.  One 
general  retired  with  his  brigade;  opposition  after 
opposition  he  met  with  from  diff"erent  officers,  yet 
he  proceeded  on  to  assault  the  blood-thirsty  enemy, 
in  spite  of  every  impediment,  though  he  had  to  im- 
prison officers,  to  hang  a  militia  soldier,  and  to  do 
things  which  it  appears  almost  to  require  credu- 
lity unbounded  to  believe  to  be  true.  Finally,  how- 
ever, he  succeeded :  he  subdued  the  savage  tribes  ; 
he  reduced  them  to  sue  for  pardon  and  for  peace  ; 
he  concluded  a  treaty  with  them  ;  took  them  out  of 
the  hands  of  the  more  crafty  and  more  powerfu. 
enemy  of  America  ;  and  cleared  the  way  for  a  battle, 
single-handed,  with  the  British,  on  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico, and  finally  at  New-Orleans. 


IT.] 


PERFIDY  OF  THE  SPANIARDS.        85 


CHAPTER  IV. 

FROM    APRIL,    1814,    TO   DECEMBER,    1814, 

Perfidious  conduct  of  the  Spanish  governor  of  Pensacola — 
Jackson's  remonstrance — Nicholis's  proclamation — Defeat  of 
the  British  at  Fort  Bowyer,  by  Major  Lawrence — Reduction 
of  Pensacola,  and  retreat  of  the  British — Jackson's  arrival  at 
New-Orleans — Preparations  made  by  the  British  for  the  re- 
duction of  New-Orleans- 

93,  He  was  now  (spring  of  1814)  appointed  to  be 
a  major-general  in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 
The  protection  of  the  coast  near  the  mouths  of  the 
Mississippi  was  intrusted  to  him;  and  his  first  at- 
tention was  turned  to  the  comfort,  the  encourage- 
ment, the  protection  which  the  savages  received 
from  the  Spanish  governor  and  Spanish  author- 
ities in  the  fortress  of  Pensacola,  which  is  situated 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  about  a  hundred  miles'  dis- 
tance from  New-Orleans,  about  thirty  miles  from 
the  frontiers  of  the  state  of  Alabama,  and  about  a 
hundred  miles  from  the  main  fastness  of  the  Creek 
Indians,  His  opinion  was,  that  the  savages  were 
always  receiving  assistance  from  the  Spanish  gar- 
rison, and  from  the  British,  through  the  means  of 
that  garrison  ;  and  he  was  persuaded  that,  finally, 
the  British  would  assail  New-Orleans  by  means  of 
preparations  made  at  Pensacola.  On  his  way  to  the 
south,  he  learned  that  about  three  hundred  British 
troops  had  landed,  and  u^ere  fortifying  themselves 
at  no  great  distance  from  Pensacola.  In  this  state 
of  things,  he  endeavoured  to  prevail  upon  the  Spanish 
governor  to  desist  from  all  acts  injurious  to  the 
United  States.  The  Spanish  governor  shuffled  at 
first,  and  afterward  lied  as  boldly  as  a  harlot  or  a 

H 


86  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [fHA?. 

valet-de-chamhre.    By  this  time,  and  before  this  time, 
the  news  had  been  received  of  the  fall  of  Napoleon, 
and  of  his  banishment  to  Elba.     This  event  had  in- 
spired with  new  villany,  and  new  courage,  every 
villain  upon  the  face  of  this  earth.     This  Spanish 
garrison  was,  in  fact,  a  rendezvous  for  the  British  : 
it  was  a  rendezvous  for  the  savages  enemies  of  the 
United  States.     Captain  Gordon,  sent  by  Jackson  to 
see  what  was  passing,  in  the  month  of  August  (18M), 
reported  to  the  general,  that  he  had  seen  from  fifty 
to  two   hundred   officers  and    soldiers,   a  park  of 
artillery,  about  five  hundred  savages  under  the  drill 
of  British  officers,  and  dressed  in  the  English  uni- 
form.    He  wrote  to  the  government,  and   remon- 
strated with  it  upon  the  subject  of  its  timidity  in  per- 
mitting this.     The    secretary   at   war,   that   same 
Armstrong  ihat  we  have  mentioned  before,  in  the 
2d  chapter,  coincided  with  him  in  opinion  upon  this 
point,  and,  indeed,  authorized  him  to  attack  Pensa- 
cola;  but,  though  this  letter  bore  date  of  the  18th 
of  July,  1814,2^  ivas  never  received  by  Jackson  until 
the  llth  of  January,  1815;  that  is  to  say,  nine  days 
after  the  British  army  had  been  partly  slaughtered, 
and  partly  driven  into  the  sea,  before  5sevv-0rleans  ! 
After  writing  this  letter,  this  same  Armstrong  took 
care  to  leave  the  city  of  Washington  totally  deprived 
of  all  defence.     It  is  impossible  to  believe  that  there 
was  not  treason  here ;  at  the  very  least  it  was  a 
contrivance  to  have  in  reserve  the  grounds  of  throw- 
ing the  blame  of  failure  upon  Jackson. 

94.  Mobile  is  a  fort  belonging  to  the  Americans, 
at  the  head  of  a  little  bay  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
and  in  the  territory  of  Alabama.  To  the  Mobile  he 
repaired.  There  he  learned  that  the  approach  of  a 
great  British  force  might  be  expected  ;  and  that  the 
final  object  was  the  capture  of  the  city  of  New-Or- 
leans. At  this  time  (August,  1814)  Colonel  Nicholls, 
of  the  British  army,  arrived  at  Pensacola,  whence 
he  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  southern  and  west- 


IV.]       PROCLAMATION    OF    COLONEL    NICHOLLS.         87 

ern  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  ;  and  from  that 
garrison  he  issued  his  proclamation,  every  word  and 
every  syllable  of  which  ought  to  be  remembered  for 
ages  by  the  people  of  England,  as  well  as  the  people 
of  America. 

Proclamation  of  Colonel  Nicholls  to  the  Southern  and  Western 
Inhabitants. 

Natives  of  Louisiana  !  on  you  the  first  call  is  made,  to 
assist  in  liberating  from  a  faithless,  imbecile  government  your 
paternal  soil :  Spaniards,  Frenchmen,  Italians,  and  British, 
whether  settled  or  residing  for  a  time  in  Louisiana,  on  you 
also  I  call,  to  aid  me  in  this  just  cause.  The  American 
usurpation  in  this  country  must  be  abolished,  and  the  lawful 
owners  of  the  soil  put  in  possession.  I  am  at  the  head  of  a 
large  body  of  Indians,  well  armed,  disciplined,  and  com- 
manded by  British  officers — a  good  train  of  artillery,  with 
every  requisite,  seconded  by  the  powerful  aid  of  a  numerous 
British  and  Spanish  squadron  of  ships  and  vessels  of  war. 
Be  not  alarmed,  inhabitants  of  the  country,  at  our  approach  ; 
the  same  good  faith  and  disinterestedness  which  have  dis- 
tinguished the  conduct  of  Britons  in  Europe  accompany  them 
here  ;  you  will  have  no  fear  of  litigious  taxes  imposed  on  you 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  unnatural  and  unjust  war ; 
your  property,  your  laws,  the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  your 
country,  will  be  guarantied  to  you  by  men  who  will  suffer  no 
infringement  of  theirs  ;  rest  assured  that  these  brave  red  men 
only  burn  with  an  ardent  desire  of  satisfaction  for  the  wrongs 
they  have  suffered  from  the  Americans  ;  to  join  you  in  lib- 
erating these  southern  provinces  from  their  yoke,  and  drive 
them  into  those  limits  formerly  prescribed  by  my  sovereign. 
The  Indians  have  pledged  themselves  in  the  most  solemn 
manner  not  to  injure,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the  persons  or 
properties  of  any  but  enemies.  A  flag  over  any  door,  whether 
Spanish,  French,  or  British,  will  be  a  certain  protection  ;  nor 
dare  any  Indian  put  his  foot  on  the  threshold  thereof,  under 
penalty  of  death  from  his  own  countrymen  ;  not  even  an 
enemy  will  an  Indian  put  to  death,  except  resisting  in  arms  ; 
and  as  for  injuring  helpless  women  and  children,  the  red  men, 
by  their  good  conduct  and  treatment  to  them,  will  (if  it  be 
possible)  make  the  Americans  blush  for  their  more  inhuman 
conduct,  lately  on  the  Escambia,  and  within  a  neutral  territory. 


88  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

Inhabitants  of  Kentucky,  you  have  too  long  borne  with 
grievous  impositions — the  whole  brunt  of  the  war  has  fallen 
on  your  brave  sons  ;  be  imposed  on  no  longer,  but  either  range 
yourselves  under  the  standard  of  your  forefathers,  or  observe  a 
strict  neutrahty.  If  you  comply  with  either  of  these  offers, 
whatever  provisions  you  send  down  will  be  paid  for  in  dollars, 
and  the  safety  of  the  persons  bringing  it,  as  well  as  the  free 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  guarantied  to  you. 

Men  of  Kentucky^  let  me  call  to  your  view  (and  I  trust 
to  your  abhorrence)  the  conduct  of  those  factions  which  hur- 
ried you  into  this  civil,  unjust,  and  unnatural  war,  at  a  time 
when  Great  Britain  was  straining  every  nerve  in  defence  of 
her  own  and  the  liberties  of  the  world — when  the  bravest  of 
her  sons  were  fighting  and  bleeding  in  so  sacred  a  cause — 
when  she  was  spending  millions  of  her  treasure  in  endeavour- 
ing to  pull  down  one  of  the  most  formidable  and  dangerous 
tyrants  that  ever  disgraced  the  form  of  man — when  groaning 
Europe  was  almost  in  her  last  gasp — when  Britons  alone 
showed  an  undaunted  front — basely  did  those  assassins  en 
deavour  to  stab  her  from  the  rear  ;  she  has  turned  on  them, 
renovated  from  the  bloody  but  successful  struggle — Europe 
is  happy  and  free,  and  she  now  hastens  justly  to  avenge  the 
unprovoked  insult.  Show  them  that  you  are  not  collectively 
unjust  ;  leave  that  contemptible  few  to  shift  for  themselves  ; 
let  those  slaves  of  the  tyrant  send  an  embassy  to  Elba,  and 
implore  his  aid  ;  but  let  every  honest,  upright  American 
spurn  them  with  united  contempt.  After  the  experience  of 
twenty-one  years,  can  you  longer  support  those  brawlers  for 
liberty  who  call  it  freedom  when  themselves  are  free  1  Be 
no  longer  their  dupes — accept  of  my  offers — every  thing  I 
have  promised  in  this  paper  I  guaranty  to  you  on  the  sacred 
honour  of  a  British  officer. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  my  head-quarters,  Pensacola, 
this  29th  day  of  August,  1814. 

EDWARD  NICHOLLS. 

95.  I  am  aware  that  the  reader  will  laugh  at  this 
"  sacred  honour  of  a  British  officer,"  who  says,  that 
he  is  "  coming  at  the  head  of  a  lar^e  body  o/"  savages," 
and  who  tells  them  that  he  will  "  free  them  from 
litigious  taxesy    I  wonder  whether  we  in  England 


IV.]  REDUCES    PENSACOLA.  89 

are  now  paying  taxes  to  keep  this  Colonel  Nicholls 
and  his  family.  However,  here  is  this  man  of 
•"  sacred  honour"  telling  the  Americans  that  his 
^^  head-quarters''''  ?ire  at  Pensacola,  though  the  scoun- 
drel Spaniard  pleaded  his  neutrality. 

96.  The  first  act  of  hostility  here,  on  the  part  of  the 
British,  was  on  a  fort  called  Fort  Bowyer,  on  the  Mo- 
bile. On  the  15th  of  September,  1814,  Nicholls  and 
Woodbine  approached  by  land,  while  several  vessels 
-approached  by  sea,  mountingaltogether  ninety  guns. 
This  expedition  ended  in  the  blowing  up  of  one  of 
■the  English  ships,  greatly  damaging  another,  and 
sending  oif  the  proclamation-maker  with  the  loss 
of  one  of  his  ships,  and,  as  was  said,  one  of  his  eyes. 
Major  Lawrence  commanded  in  the  American  fort. 
His  brave  band  consisted  3  omy  oi^e  hundred  and 
thirty  men;  while  the  fo  ce  o.  -b^  British  was,  as 
we  have  seen,  ninety  guns  bi-  sc-,  while  Nicholls 
-and  Woodbine  assaulted  the  .o-t  by  land,  with  a 
twelve-pound  howitzer,  and  several  hundreds  of 
-marines,  sailors,  and  savages.  This  \vas  an  affair 
singularly  honourable  to  Major  Lawrence  and  his 
<men.  The  disparity  of  force  was  incredible ;  and 
this  disgraceful  beating  at  the  outset  must  have  had 
2.  considerable  effect  upon  the  enemy.  Jackson 
was,  however,  resolved  to  break  up  the  rendezvous 
f)i  Pensacola;  and  on  the  6th  of  November,  1814, 
he  marched  against  it,  demolished  all  its  defences 
and  protections,  drove  out  the  British  and  the 
savages,  and  taught  Nicholls  and  the  Spanish  gov- 
ernor that,  tliough  Bonaparte  was  banished  to  Elba, 
there  was  still  one  country  left  which  was  not  to  be 
insulted  with  impunity  by  the  satellites  of  des- 
potism. 

97.  Having  given  the  haughty  and  insolent  foe  a 
foretaste  of  that  which  was  to  come,  he  repaired  to 
that  which  was  to  be  the  grand  scene  of  action. 
He  arrived  at  the  city  of  New-Orleans  on  the  1st 
of  December,  1814.     News  had  been  received  of  the 

H2 


90  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

approach  of  a  Britisli  fleet.  The  first  intelligence 
of  this  sort  was  received  on  the  4th  of  December. 
Cochrane,  who  commanded  the  British  fleet,  and 
who  had  the  celebrated  Sir  George  Cockburn  under 
him,  had  collected  all  their  forces  together,  after 
they  had  been  beaten  otf  from  before  Baltimore,  and 
had  sailed  off"  for  New-Orleans,  whither  Nicholls  had 
been  sent  before  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  procla- 
mation, which  we  have  just  seen  issued  from  his 
head-quarters  at  Pensacola.  They  were  to  be 
joined,  as  they  afterward  were,  by  a  strong  body  of] 
the  "  heroes  of  the  Peninsula."  Their  force  alto- 
gether was  prodigious  :  ships  of  the  line,  frigates, 
sloops  of  war,  fire-ships,  great  numbers  of  furnaces 
to  heat  red-hot  shot,  Congreve  rockets,  all  manner 
of  materials  for  sapping,  and  mining,  and  blowing 
■ip :  an  expedition  costing,  in  all  probability,  more 
Ihan  a  million  of  pounds  sterling  in  the  fitting  out. 
There  were  eleven  thousand  regular  "  heroes 
of  the  Peninsula ;"  there  were  four  generals,  two 
admirals,  at  the  least ;  twelve  thousand,  at  the 
least,  of  seamen  and  marines,  artillery  in  abun- 
dance, of  all  sorts  ;  perhaps  a  hundred  gun-boats 
and  barges  ;  and  every  expense  ready  to  be  incurred 
for  the  employment  of  persons  of  all  sorts  ;  besides 
numerous  bands  of  savages  ready  to  come  in,  if  the 
attack  had  succeeded.  Here,  after  all,  there  was 
nothing  equal  to  the  perils  of  the  Indian  campaign ; 
but  there  was  quite  enough  to  daunt  any  man  that 
ever  lived,  except  the  man  who  had  to  face  all  this. 


V'}  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  91 


CHAPTER  V. 

-fROM   THE    1st   of    DECEMBER,    1814,   TO    MARCH,    1815. 

Defence  of  New-Orleans — Jackson  is  beset  with  traitors  and 
spies — Arms  not  sent  to  him — Enemy  lands  on  the  23d  De- 
cember— He  marches  in  the  night  and  drives  them  back — 
Divers  smaller  engagements — The  traitors  m  the  assembly 
and  in  the  town  conspire  against  him — Defeats  the  British 
with  great  slaughter.  8lh  January — Drives  them  out  of  the 
country — His  farewell  address  to  his  army — The  sneaking 
account  given  by  the  British  government  of  this  important 
transaction. 

98.  We  have  seen  that  Jackson,  having  received 
intelligence  which  made  him  believe,  and  quite  cer- 
tain indeed,  that  the  intention  of  the  British  was  to 
get  possession  of  the  mouths  of  the  Mississippi,  of 
the  whole  state  of  Louisiana,  and  particularly  of  that 
rich  prize  the  city  of  New-Orleans,  crammed  with 
sugar,  coffee,  flour,  cotton,  and  all  sorts  of  merchan- 
dise, repaired  thither,  that  is  to  say,  to  the  city  itself, 
on  the  1st  of  December,  1814.  On  the  6th  of  Decem- 
ber, he  receivedcertainintelligencethatalarge  British 
force  was  off  the  port  of  Pensacola,  destined  against 
New-Orleans ;  that  it  amounted  to  about  eighty 
vessels,  and  that  more  than  double  that  number 
were  momentarily  looked  for  to  form  a  junction  with 
those  already  arrived  ;  that  there  were  in  this  fleet 
vessels  of  all  descriptions,  contrived  for  the  most 
deadly  purposes,  with  a  large  body  of  land  troops. 
That  Admiral  Cochrane  had  the  command,  and  that 
his  ship,  the  Tonnant,  was  then  (4th  December)  lying 
off  Pensacola. 

99.  The  hour  now  arrived,  then,  in  w^hich  was  to 
be  tried  the  naked  courage  of  undisciplined  Ameri- 


92  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

cans  against  the  best  that  Great  Britain  was  able 
to  produce,  with  every  advantage  to  boot.  With- 
out stopping  to  relate  the  preliminary  movements, 
and  all  the  preparations  for  attack  made  by  the 
British,  I  come  at  once  to  the  beginning  of  the 
fighting,  which  took  place  on  the  23d  of  December, 
when,  in  the  evening,  the  British  made  a  landing, 
and  when  Jackson  resolved,  at  all  events,  to  march 
and  give  them  battle.  I  must  stop  here,  however,  to 
observe  on  something  much  more  interesting  than 
the  mere  fighting:  it  is  not  mere  fighting  that  will 
depict  to  us  the  true  character  of  a  general  and  a 
statesman.  Here  Jackson  had  to  contend  against 
difficulties  and  dangers  of  every  description.  The 
comparatively  small  number,  and  the  want  of  dis- 
cipline, of  his  troops,  I  do  not  reckon  among  his 
.lifliculties  ;  but  treason,  in  every  quarter  and  corner 
:>{  the  city  and  the  state  which  he  had  to  defend; 
-spies  continually  communicating  with  the  enemy  ; 
Dase  and  cowardly  French  and  Spanish  merchants, 
and  paper-money  makers,  all  pufl^ed  up  with  exulta- 
tion at  the  triumph  of  the  despots  of  Europe  and 
the  banishment  of  Napoleon  to  Elba  (events  which 
had  just  taken  place),  and  all  full  of  the  hope  and 
expectation  that  Jackson  and  his  army  would  be 
cut  to  pieces  (it  being  to  be  observed,  that  this  state 
of  Louisiana  had  been  purchased  from  the  French 
by  the  Americans  no  longer  before  tlian  in  the  year 
1811) ;  newspaper  traitors  endeavouring  to  sow  dis- 
content in  his  army,  and  when  he  imprisoned  the 
author,  a  traitor  judge  found  to  order  his  release  on 
a  habeas  corpus,  whereupon  he  imprisoned  the  trai- 
tor judge ;  but,  above  all  things,  a  want  of  arms, 
owing  to  the  scandalous  neglect  of  oflicers  of  the 
federal  government,  which  made  it  perilous  for  him 
to  suffer  communication  between  eveu  his  own  lines, 
it  being  absolutely  necessary  for  him  to  keep  from 
the  enemy  a  knowledge  of  his  unarmed  and  destitute 
situation.    These  things,  much  more  than  the  force 


r.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  93 

of  the  enemy,  and  all  their  immense  means  of 
attack,  rendered  his  situation  perilous.  Driven  to 
the  extremity  of  proclaiming  martial  law,  and  of 
enforcing  it  with  the  utmost  severity  ;  there  was  he, 
with  his  handful  of  faithful  men,  who  had  coiiie 
down  to  him,  unarmed  and  unprovided,  a  distance  of 
five  hundred  miles ;  with  faithful  generals  and 
brother-officers,  to  be  sure  :  but  with  a  people  to 
defend  who  were  ready  to  stab  him  in  the  back, 
while  a  powerful  invading  army  was  coming  at  him 
in  front;  and  even  with  a  legislative  assembly  pro- 
posing to  capitulate  with  the  enemy,  and  to  surrender 
themselves,  their  city,  and  their  state  to  the  mercy 
of  that  enemy. 

100.  It  was  with  all  these  difficulties  and  dangers 
staring  him  in  the  face  that  he  boldly  proceeded  on 
to  the  deliverance  of  his  country ;  and  now  we  are 
going  to  enter  on  the  most  interesting  details  of  his 
proceedings  in  effecting  this  deliverance. 

101.  On  the  23d  of  December,  as  has  been  before 
related,  the  enemy  made  a  landing ;  and  Jackson, 
wanting  to  gain  time  to  complete  his  lines,  and  also 
thinking  it  of  importance  to  give  the  enemy  a  taste 
of  the  difficulties  which  he  would  have  to  overcome, 
determined  to  proceed  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the 
night  of  the  23d  of  December.  Generals  Coffee  and 
Carroll  were  ordered  to  proceed  immediately  from 
their  encampment,  and  join  him  with  all  haste. 
Although  four  miles  above,  they  arrived  in  the  city 
in  less  than  two  hours  after  the  order  had  been 
issued.  These  forces,  with  the  seventh  and  forty- 
fourth  regiments,  the  Louisiana  troops,  and  Colonel 
Hind's  dragoons,  from  Mississippi,  constituted  the 
strength  of  his  army,  which  could  be  carried  into 
action  against  an  enemy  whose  numbers,  at  this 
time,  could  only  be  conjectured.  It  was  thought 
advisable  that  General  Carroll  and  his  division  should 
be  disposed  in  the  rear,  for  the  reason  that  there 
was  no  correct  information  of  the   force  landed 


9i  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

through  Villery's  canal,  and  because  Jackson  feared 
that  this  probably  might  be  merely  a  feint  intended 
to  divert  his  attention,  while  a  nmch  stronger  and 
more  numerous  division,  having  already  gained  some 
point  higher  on  the  lake,  might,  by  advancing  in  his 
absence,  gain  his  rear,  and  succeed  in  their  designs. 
Uncertain  of  their  movements,  it  was  essential  he 
should  be  prepared  for  the  worst,  and  by  different 
dispositions  of  his  troops  be  ready  to  resist,  in 
whatever  quarter  he  might  be  assailed.  Carroll, 
therefore,  at  the  head  of  his  division,  and  Governor 
Claiborne,  with  the  state  militia,  were  directed  to 
take  post  on  the  Gentilly  road,  which  leads  from 
Chef  Menteur  to  New-Orleans,  and  to  defend  it  to 
the  last  extremity. 

102.  Alarm  pervaded  the  city.  The  marching 
and  countermarching  of  the  troops,  the  proximity  of 
the  enemy,  with  the  approaching  contest,  and  un- 
certainty of  the  issue,  had  excited  a  general  fear. 
Already  might  the  British  be  on  their  way  and  at 
hand  before  the  necessary  arrangements  could  be 
made  to  oppose  them.  To  prevent  this.  Colonel 
Hayne,  with  two  companies  of  riflemen  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi dragoons,  was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre 
their  camp,  learn  their  position  and  their  numbers, 
and  if  they  should  be  found  advancing,  to  harass  and 
oppose  them  at  every  step  until  the  main  body 
should  arrive. 

103.  Every  thing  being  ready,  General  Jackson 
commenced  his  march,  to  meet  and  fight  the  veteran 
troops  of  England.  An  inconsiderable  circumstance 
at  this  moment  evinced  what  unlimited  confidence 
was  reposed  in  his  skill  and  bravery.  As  his  troops 
were  marching  through  the  city,  his  ears  were 
assailed  with  the  screams  and  cries  of  innumer- 
able females,  who  had  collected  on  the  way,  and 
seemed  to  apprehend  the  worst  of  consequences. 
Feeling  for  their  distresses,  and  anxious  to  quiet 
them,  he  directed  Mr.  Livingston,  one  of  his  aids- 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-0RLE.4NS.  95 

de-camp,  to  address  them  in  the  French  language. 
*'  Say  to  them,"  said  he,  "  not  to  be  alarmed  :  the 
enemy  shall  never  reach  the  city."  It  operated  like 
an  electric  shock.  To  know  that  he  himself  was 
not  apprehensive  of  a  fatal  result  inspired  them 
with  altered  feelings ;  sorrow  was  ended,  and  their 
grief  converted  into  hope  and  confidence, 

104.  The  general  arrived  in  view  of  the  enemy  a 
little  before  dark.  Having  previously  ascertained 
from  Colonel  Hayne,  who  had  been  sent  in  advance, 
their  position,  and  that  their  strength  was  about  two 
thousand  men,*  he  immediately  concerted  the  mode 
of  attack,  and  hastened  to  execute  it.  Commodore 
Patterson,  who  commanded  the  naval  forces  on  this 
station,  with  Captain  Henly,  on  board  the  Caroline, 
had  been  directed  to  drop  down,  anchor  in  front  of 
their  line,  and  open  upon  them  from  the  guns  of  the 
schooner;  this  being  the  appointed  signal,  when 
given,  the  attack  was  to  be  waged  simultaneously 
on  all  sides.  The  fires  from  their  camp  disclosed 
their  position,  and  showed  their  encampment,  formed 
with  their  left  resting  on  the  river,  and  extending  at 
right  angles  into  the  open  field.  General  Coffee, 
with  his  brigade,  Colonel  Hind's  dragoons,  and 
Captain  Beal's  company  of  riflemen,  was  ordered  to 
oblique  to  the  left,  and,  by  a  circuitous  route,  avoid 
their  pickets,  and  endeavour  to  turn  their  right 
wing;  having  succeeded  in  this,  to  form  his  line, 
and  press  the  enemy  towards  the  river,  where  they 
would  be  exposed  more  completely  to  the  fire  of  the 
Caroline.  The  rest  of  the  troops,  consisting  of  the 
regulars,  Ploache's  city  volunteers,  Daquin's  coloured 
troops,  the  artillery  under  Lieutenant  Spotts,  sup- 
ported by  a  company  of  marines  commanded  by 

*  This  opinion,  as  it  afterward  appeared,  was  incorrect 
The  number  of  tlie  British,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action, 
was  three  thousand,  and  was  shortly  afterward  increaeed  by 
additional  forces ;  Jackson's  strength  did  not  exceed  two  thou 
sand. 


96  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP* 

Colonel  M'Kee,  advanced  on  the  road  aloni^  the  bank 
of  the  ^lississippi,  and  were  coninumded  by  Jackson 
in  person. 

105.  General  Coffee  with  silence  and  caution  haci 
advanced  beyond  their  pickets,  next  the  swamp, 
and  nearly  reached  the  point  to  which  he  vva» 
ordered,  when  a  broadside  from  the  Caroline  an- 
nounced the  battle  begun.  Patterson  had  proceeded 
slowly,  giving  time,  as  he  believed,  for  the  execution 
of  those  arrangements  contemplated  on  the  shore. 
So  sanguine  had  the  British  been  in  the  belief  that 
they  would  be  kindly  received,  and  little  opposition 
attempted,  that  the  Caroline  floated  by  the  sentinels, 
and  anchored  before  their  camp  without  any  kind 
of  molestation.  On  passing  the  front  picket  slie 
was  hailed  ;n  a  low  tone  of  \oice,  but  not  returning 
an  answer,  no  further  question  was  made.  This, 
added  to  some  other  attendant  circumstances,  con- 
firmed the  opinion  that  they  believed  her  a  vessel 
laden  with  provisions,  which  had  been  sent  out  from 
New-Orleans,  and  v,'as  intended  for  them.  Having 
reached  what,  from  their  fires,  appeared  to  be  the 
centre  of  their  encampment,  her  anchors  were  cast, 
and  her  character  and  business  disclosed  from  her 
guns.  So  unexpected  an  attack  produced  a  moment- 
ary confusion;  but  recovering,  she  was  answered  by 
a  discharge  of  musketry  and  flight  of  Congreve 
rockets,  which  passed  without  injury,  while  the  grape 
and  canister  from  her  guns  were  pouring  destruc- 
tively on  them.  To  take  away  the  certainty  of  aim 
afforded  by  the  light  from  their  fires,  these  were 
immediately  extinguished,  and  they  retired  two  or 
three  hundred  yards  into  the  open  field,  if  not  out 
of  the  reach  of  the  cannon,  at  least  to  a  distance, 
where  by  the  darkness  of  the  night  they  would  be 
protected. 

106.  Coffee  had  dismounted  his  men,  and  turned 
his  horses  loose,  at  a  large  ditch,  next  the  swamp, 
in  the  rear  of  Larond's  plantation,  and  gained,  as  he 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  97 

believed,  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  line,  when  the 
signal  from  the  Caroline  reached  him.  He  directly 
wheeled  his  columns  in,  and  extending  his  line  par- 
allel with  the  river,  moved  towards  their  camp.  He 
had  advanced  scarcely  more  than  a  hundred  yards, 
when  he  received  a  heavy  fire,  from  a  line  formed  in 
his  front ;  this,  to  him,  was  an  unexpected  circum- 
stance, as  he  supposed  the  enemy  lying  principally 
at  a  distance,  and  that  the  only  opposition  he  should 
meet,  until  he  approached  towards  the  levee,*  would 
be  from  their  advanced  pickets.  The  circum- 
stance of  his  coming  in  contact  with  them  so  soon 
was  owing  to  the  severe  attack  of  the  schooner, 
which  had  compelled  the  enemy  to  abandon  their 
camp,  and  form  without  the  reach  of  her  guns.  The 
moon  shone,  but  reflected  her  light  too  feebly  to  dis- 
cover objects  at  a  distance.  The  only  means,  there- 
fore, of  producing  certain  effect,  with  the  kind  of 
force  engaged,  which  consisted  chiefly  of  riflemen, 
was  not  to  venture  at  random,  but  to  discharge  their 
pieces  only  when  there  should  be  a  certainty  of  fell- 
ing the  object.  This  order  being  given,  the  line 
pressed  on,  and  having  gained  a  position  near  enough 
to  distinguish,  a  general  fire  was  given  ;  it  was  well 
directed,  and  too  severe  and  destructive  to  be  with- 
stood ;  the  enemy  gave  way  and  retreated, — rallied, 
— formed, — were  charged,  and  again  retreated. 
The  gallant  yeomanry,  led  by  their  brave  com- 
mander, urged  fearlessly  on,  and  drove  their  inva- 
ders from  every  position  they  attempted  to  main- 
tain. Their  general  was  under  no  necessity  to  en- 
courage and  allure  them  to  deeds  of  valour :  his  owi 

*  Banks  thrown  up  on  the  margin  of  the  river  to  confine  the 
stream  to  its  bed ;  and  which  are  extended  along  the  Mississippi 
on  both  sides,  from  the  termination  of  the  highlands,  near  Baton 
Rouge.  Frequently  the  river  in  its  vernal  floods  rises  above  the 
elevation  of  the  plains,  and  then  the  security  of  the  country  de- 
pends on  the  strength  of  those  levees  ;  they  not  unfrequently 
break,  when  incalculable  injury  is  the  consequence. 

I 


98  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP/ 

example  was  sufficient  to  excite  them.  Always  in 
the  midst,  he  displayed  a  coolness  and  disregard  of 
danger,  calling  to  his  troops  that  they  had  often  said 
they  could  fight — now  was  the  time  to  prove  it. 

107.  The  British,  driven  back  by  the  resolute  firm- 
ness and  ardour  of  the  assailants,  had  now  reached 
a  grove  of  orange-trees,  with  a  ditch  running  past  it, 
protected  by  a  fence  on  the  margin.  Here  they 
were  halted  and  formed  for  battle.  It  was  a  favour- 
able position,  promising  security,  and  was  occupied 
with  a  confidence  they  could  not  be  forced  to  yield 
it.  Coff'ee's  dauntless  yeomanry,  strengthened  in 
their  hopes  of  success,  moved  on,  nor  discovered  the 
advantages  against  them,  until  a  fire  from  the  entire 
British  line  showed  their  position  and  defence.  A 
sudden  check  was  given  ;  but  it  was  only  moment- 
ary, for  gatiiering  fresh  ardour,  they  charged  across 
the  ditch,  gave  a  deadly  and  destructive  fire,  and 
forced  them  to  retire.  The  retreat  continued,  until 
gaining  a  similar  position,  the  British  made  another 
stand,  and  were  again  driven  from  it  with  consider- 
able loss. 

108.  Thus  the  battle  raged  on  the  left  wing,  until 
the  British  reached  the  bank  of  the  river ;  here  a 
determined  stand  was  made,  and  further  encroach- 
ments resisted  :  for  half  an  hour  the  conflict  was 
extremely  violent  on  both  sides.  The  American 
troops  could  not  be  driven  from  tlieir  purpose,  nor 
the  British  made  to  yield  their  ground;  but  at  length, 
having  suff'ered  greatly,  the  latter  were  under  the 
necessity  of  taking  refuge  behind  the  levee,  which 
afforded  a  breast-work,  and  protected  them  from  the 
fatal  fire  of  our  riflemen.  Coff'ee,  unacquainted  with 
their  position,  for  the  darkness  had  greatly  increased, 
already  contemplated  again  to  charge  them  ;  but 
one  of  his  officers,  who  had  discovered  the  advan- 
tage their  situation  gave  them,  assured  him  it  was 
too  hazardous  ;  that  they  could  be  driven  no  farther, 
and  would,  from  the  point  they  occupied,  resist  with 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  99 

the  bayonet,  and  repel,  with  considerable  loss,  any 
attempt  that  mig:ht  be  made  to  dislodge  them.  The 
place  of  their  retirement  was  covered  in  front  by  a 
strong  bank,  which  had  been  extended  into  the  field, 
to  keep  out  the  river,  in  consequence  of  the  first 
being  encroached  upon,  and  undermined  in  several 
places  :  the  former,  however,  was  still  entire  in 
many  parts,  which,  interposing  between  them  and 
the  Mississippi,  afforded  security  from  the  broad- 
sides of  the  schooner,  which  lay  off  at  some  dis 
tance.  A  further  apprehension,  lest,  by  moving  still 
nearer  to  the  river,  he  might  greatly  expose  himself 
to  the  fire  of  the  Caroline,  which  was  yet  spiritedly 
maintaining  the  conflict,  induced  Coffee  to  retire 
until  he  could  hear  from  the  commanding  general, 
and  receive  his  further  orders. 

100.  During  this  time  the  right  wing,  under  Jack- 
son, had  been  no  less  prompt  and  active.  A  detach- 
ment of  artillery,  under  Lieutenant  Spotts,  sup- 
ported by  sixty  marines,  and  constituting  the  ad- 
vance, had  moved  down  the  road  next  the  levee.  On 
their  left  was  the  seventh  regiment  of  infantry,  led 
by  Major  Piere.  The  forty-fourth,  commanded  by 
Major  Baker,  was  formed  on  the  extreme  left ;  while 
Plauche's  and  Daquin's  battalions  of  city  guards  were 
directed  to  be  posted  in  the  centre,  between  the 
seventh  and  forty-fourth.  The  general  had  ordered 
Colonel  Ross  (who  during  the  night  acted  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  brigadier-general,  for  he  was  without  a 
brigadier),  on  hearing  the  signal  from  the  Caroline, 
to  move  oft'  by  heads  of  companies,  and,  on  reaching 
the  enemy's  line,  to  deploy,  and  unite  the  left  wing 
of  his  command  with  the  right  of  General  Coffee's. 
This  order  was  omitted  to  be  executed  ;  and  the 
consequence  was  an  early  introduction  of  confusion 
in  the  ranks,  whereby  was  prevented  the  important 
design  of  uniting  the  two  divisions. 

110.  Instead  of  moving  in  column  from  the  first 
position,  the  troops,  with  the  exception  of  the  sev 


100  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

enth  regiment,  next  the  person  of  the  general,  which 
advanced  agreeably  to  the  instructions  that  had  been 
given,  were  formed  and  marched  in  extended  line. 
Having  sufficient  ground  to  form  on  at  first,  no  in- 
convenience was  at  the  moment  sustained;  but  this 
advantage  presently  failing,  the  centre  became  com- 
pressed, and  was  forced  in  the  rear.  The  river, 
from  where  they  were  formed,  gradually  inclined  to 
the  left,  and  diminished  the  space  originally  pos- 
sessed :  farther  in  stood  Larond's  house,  surrounded 
by  a  grove  of  clustered  orange-trees  :  this  pressing 
the  left,  and  the  river  the  right  wing  to  the  centre, 
formed  a  curve,  which  presently  threw  the  principal 
part  of  Plauche's  and  Daquin's  battalions  without 
the  line.  This  inconvenience  might  have  been 
remedied,  but  for  the  briskness  of  the  advance, 
and  the  darkness  of  the  night.  A  heavy  fire  from 
behind  a  fence,  immediately  before  them,  had 
brought  the  enemy  to  view.  Acting  in  obedience 
to  their  orders,  not  to  waste  their  ammunition  at 
random,  our  troops  had  pressed  forward  against  the 
opposition  in  their  front,  and  thereby  threw  those 
battalions  in  the  rear. 

111.  A  fog  rising  from  the  river,  and  which,  added 
to  the  smoke  from  the  guns,  was  covering  the  plain, 
gradually  diminished  the  little  light  shed  by  the 
moon,  and  greatly  increased  the  darkness  of  the 
night :  no  clew  was  left  to  ascertain  how  or  where 
the  enemy  were  situated.  There  was  no  alterna- 
tive but  to  move  on  in  the  direction  of  their  fire, 
which  subjected  the  assailants  to  material  disadvan- 
tages. The  British,  driven  from  their  first  position, 
had  retired  back,  and  occupied  another,  behind  a 
deep  ditch,  that  ran  out  of  the  Mississippi  towards 
the  swamp,  on  the  margin  of  which  was  a  wood- 
railed  fence.  Here,  strengthened  by  increased 
numbers,  they  again  opposed  the  advance  of  our 
troops.  Having  waited  until  they  had  approached 
sufficiently  near  to  be  discovered,  from  their  fast- 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  101 

nesses  they  discharg-ed  a  fire  upon  the  advancing 
army.  Instantly  our  battery  was  formed,  and  poured 
destructively  upon  them  ;  while  the  infantry,  press- 
ing forward,  aided  in  the  conflict,  which  at  this  point 
was  for  some  time  spiritedly  maintained.  At  this 
moment  a  brisk  sally  was  made  upon  our  advance, 
when  the  marines,  unequal  to  the  assault,  were 
already  giving  way.  The  adjutant-general,  and 
Colonels  Piatt  and  Chotard,  with  a  part  of  the 
seventh,  hastening  to  their  support,  drove  the 
enemy,  and  saved  the  artillery  from  capture.  Gen- 
eral Jackson.,  perceiving  the  decided  advantages 
which  were  derived  from  tho  position  they  occupied, 
ordered  their  line  to  be  charged.  It  was  obeyed 
with  cheerfulness,  and  executed  with  promptness. 
Pressing  on,  our  troops  gained  the  ditch,  and  pouring 
across  it  a  well-aimed  fire,  compelled  them  to  re- 
treat, and  to  abandon  their  intrenchment.  The 
plain  on  which  they  were  contending  was  cut  to 
pieces,  by  races  from  the  river,  to  convey  the  water 
to  the  swamp.  The  enemy  were  therefore  very 
soon  enabled  to  occupy  another  position,  equally 
favourable  with  the  one  whence  they  had  been  just 
driven,  where  they  formed  for  battle,  and  for  some 
time  gallantly  maintained  themselves  ;  but  which  at 
length,  and  after  stubborn  resistance,  they  were 
forced  to  yield. 

112.  The  enemy,  discovering  the  firm  and  obsti- 
nate advance  made  by  the  right  wing  of  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  presuming  perhaps  that  its  principal 
strength  was  posted  on  the  road,  formed  the  mten- 
tion  of  attacking  violently  the  left.  Obliquing  for 
this  purpose,  an  attempt  was  made  to  turn  it.  At 
this  moment,  Daquin's  and  the  battalion  of  city 
guards,  being  marched  up  and  formed  on  the  left 
of  the  forty-fourth  regiment,  met  and  repulsed  them. 

113.  The  particular  moment  of  the  contest  pre- 
vented many  of  those  benefits  which  might  have 
»een  derived  from  the   artillery.     The  darkness  of 

12 


102  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

the  night  was  such  that  the  blaze  of  the  enemy's 
musketry  was  the  only  Hght  afforded  by  which  to 
determine  their  position,  or  be  capable  of  taking 
our  own  to  advantage ;  yet,  notwithstanding,  it 
greatly  annoyed  them,  whenever  it  could  be  brought 
to  bear.  Directed  by  Lieutenant  Spotts,  a  vigilant 
and  skilful  officer,  with  men  to  aid  him  who  looked 
to  nothing  but  a  zealous  discharge  of  their  duty,  the 
most  essential  and  important  services  were  rendered. 

114.  The  enemy  had  been  thrice  assailed  and 
beaten,  and  for  nearly  a  mile  compelled  to  yield  their 
ground.  They  had  now  retired,  and,  if  found,  were 
to  be  sought  for  amid  the  darkness  of  the  nighL 
The  general  determined  to  halt,  and  ascertain  Cof- 
fee's position  and  success,  previously  to  waging  the 
battle  further ;  for  as  yet  no  communication  had 
passed  between  them.  He  entertained  no  doubt, 
from  the  brisk  firing  in  that  direction,  that  he  had 
been  warmly  engaged  ;  but  this  had  now  nearly 
subsided:  the  Caroline,  too,  had  almost  ceased  her 
operations  ;  it  being  only  occasionally  that  the  noise 
of  her  guns  disclosed  the  little  opportunity  she  pos- 
sessed of  acting  efficiently. 

115.  The  express  despatched  to  General  Jackson 
from  the  left  wing  having  reached  him,  he  deter- 
mined to  prosecute  the  successes  he  had  gained  no 
further.  The  darkness  of  the  night,  the  confusion 
into  which  his  own  division  had  been  thrown,  and  a 
similar  disaster  produced  on  the  part  of  Coffee,  all 
pointed  to  the  necessity  of  retiring  from  the  field, 
and  abandoning  the  contest.  The  bravery  and 
firmness  already  displayed  by  his  troops  had  in- 
duced with  him  a  belief  that  by  pressing  forward  he 
might  capture  the  whole  British  army  :  at  any  rate, 
he  considered  it  but  a  game  of  venture  and  hazard, 
which,  if  unsuccessful,  could  not  occasion  his  own 
defeat.  If  incompetent  to  its  execution,  and  su- 
perior numbers  or  superior  discipline  should  com- 
pel him  to  recede  from  the  effort,  he  well  knew  the 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  103 

enemy  would  not  have  temerity  enough  to  attempt 
pursuit.  The  extreme  darkness,  their  entire  igno- 
rance of  the  situation  of  the  country,  and  an  appre- 
hension lest  their  forces  might  be  greatly  outnum- 
bered, afforded  sufficient  reasons  on  which  to  ground 
a  belief,  that  although  beaten  from  his  purpose,  he 
would  yet  have  it  in  his  power  to  retire  in  safety : 
but  on  the  arrival  of  the  express  from  General  Cof- 
fee, learning  the  strong  position  to  which  the  enemy 
had  retired,  and  that  a  part  of  the  left  wing  had  been 
detached,  and  were  in  all  probability  captured,  he 
determined  to  retire  from  the  contest,  nor  attempt  a 
farther  prosecution  of  his  successes.  General  Cof- 
fee was  accordingly  directed  to  withdraw,  and  take 
a  position  at  Larond's  plantation,  where  the  Inie  had 
been  first  formed  ;  and  thither  the  troops  on  the 
right  were  also  ordered  to  be  marched. 

116.  The  last  charge  made  by  the  left  wing  had 
separated  from  the  main  body  Colonels  Dyer  and 
Gibson,  with  two  hundred  men,  and  Captain  Beal's 
company  of  riflemen.  What  might  be  their  fate, 
whether  they  were  captured  or  had  effected  their 
retreat,  was,  at  this  time,  altogether  uncertain ;  be 
that  as  it  might.  Coffee's  command  was  thereby 
considerably  weakened. 

117.  Colonel  Dyer,  who  commanded  the  extreme 
left,  on  clearing  the  grove,  after  the  enemy  had 
retired,  was  marching  in  a  direction  where  he  ex- 
Tjected  to  find  General  Coffee  ;  he  very  soon  dis- 
covered a  force  in  front,  and  halting  his  men,  has- 
tened towards  it ;  arriving  within  a  short  distance, 
he  was  hailed,  ordered  to  stop,  and  report  to  whom  he 
belonged  :  Dyer,  and  Gibson,  his  lieutenant-colonel, 
who  had  accompanied  him,  advanced  and  stated 
they  were  of  Coffee's  brigade ;  by  this  time  they 
had  arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  the  line,  and 
perceiving  that  the  name  of  the  brigade  they  had 
stated  was  not  understood,  their  apprehensions  were 
awakened  lest  it  might  be   a  detachment  of  tho 


104  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

enemy  ;  ia  this  opinion  they  were  immediately  con- 
firmed, and  wheeling-  to  return,  were  fired  on  and 
pursued,  Gibson  had  scarcely  started  when  he  fell ; 
before  he  could  recover,  a  soldier  quicker  than  the 
rest  had  reached  him,  and  pinned  him  to  the  ground 
with  his  bayonet ;  fortunately  the  stab  had  but 
slightly  wounded  him,  and  he  was  only  held  by  his 
clothes ;  thus  pinioned,  and  perceiving  others  to  be 
briskly  advancing,  but  a  moment  was  left  for  delib- 
eration ;  making  a  violent  exertion,  and  springing 
to  his  feet,  he  threw  his  assailant  to  the  ground,  and 
made  good  his  retreat.  Colonel  Dyer  had  retreated 
about  fifty  yards,  when  his  horse  dropped  dead  ;  en- 
tangled in  the  fall,  and  slightly  wounded  in  the 
thigh,  there  was  little  prospect  of  relief,  for  the 
enemy  were  briskly  advancing;  his  men  being  near 
at  hand,  he  ordered  them  to  advance  and  fire,  which 
checked  their  approach,  and  enabled  him  to  escape. 
Being  now  at  the  head  of  his  command, — perceiv- 
ing an  enemy  in  a  direction  he  had  not  expected, 
and  uncertain  how  or  where  he  might  find  General 
Coff'ee,  he  determined  to  seek  him  to  the  right,  and 
moving  on  with  his  little  band,  forced  his  way 
through  the  enemy's  lines,  with  the  loss  of  sixty- 
three  of  his  men,  who  were  killed  and  taken.  Cap^ 
tain  Beal,  with  equal  bravery,  charged  through  the 
enemy,  carrying  off"  some  prisoners,  and  losing  sev- 
eral of  his  own  company. 

118.  This  reinforcement  of  the  British  had  arrived 
from  Bayou  Bienvenu  after  night.  The  boats  that 
landed  the  first  detachment  had  proceeded  back  to 
the  shipping,  and  having  returned,  were  on  their 
way  up  the  Bayou,  when  they  heard  the  guns  of  the 
Caroline ;  moving  hastily  on  to  the  assistance  of 
those  who  had  debarked  before  them,  they  reached 
the  shore,  and  knowing  nothing  of  the  situation  of 
the  two  armies,  during  the  engagement  advanced  in 
the  rear  of  General  Coffee's  brigade.     Coming  in 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF   NEW-ORLEANS,  105 

contact  with  Colonel  Dyer  and  Captain  Beal,  they 
filed  off  to  the  left,  and  reached  the  British  lines. 

119.  This  detached  part  of  Coffee's  brigade,  un- 
able to  unite  with  or  find  him,  retired  to  the  place 
where  they  had  first  formed,  and  joined  Colonel 
Hinds'  dragoons,  which  had  remained  on  the  ground 
where  the  troops  had  first  dismounted,  that  they 
might  cover  their  retreat  if  it  became  necessary. 

120.  Jackson  had  gone  into  this  battle  confident 
of  success  ;  and  his  arrangements  were  such  as 
would  have  ensured  it  even  to  a  much  greater  ex- 
tent, but  for  the  intervention  of  circumstances  that 
were  not  and  could  not  be  foreseen.  The  Caroline 
had  given  her  signals  and  commenced  the  battle  a 
little  too  early,  before  Coffee  had  reached  and  taken 
his  position,  and  before  every  thing  was  fully  in 
readiness  to  attain  the  objects  designed  :  but  it  was 
chiefly  owing  to  the  confusion  introduced  at  first 
into  the  ranks  which  checked  the  rapidity  of  his 
advance, — gave  the  enemy  time  for  preparation,  and 
prevented  his  division  from  uniting  with  the  right 
wing  of  General  Coffee's  brigade. 

121.  Colonel  Hinds,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty 
dragoons,  was  not  brought  into  action  during  the 
night.  Interspersed  as  the  plain  was  with  innumer- 
able ditches,  diverging  in  different  directions,  it  was 
impossible  that  cavalry  could  act  to  any  kind  of 
advantage ;  they  were  now  formed  in  advance,  to 
watch,  until  morning,  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 

122.  From  the  experiments  just  made,  Jackson  be- 
lieved it  would  be  in  his  power,  on  renewing  the  at- 
tack, to  capture  the  British  army  :  he  concluded, 
therefore,  to  order  down  to  his  assistance  General 
Carroll,  with  his  division,  and  to  assail  them  again 
at  the  dawn  of  day.  Directing  Governor  Claiborne 
to  remain  at  his  post,  with  the  Louisiana  militia, 
for  the  defence  of  an  important  pass  to  the  city,  the 
Gentilly  road,  he  despatched  an  express  to  Carroll, 
stating  to  him,  that  if  there  had  been  no  appearance 


106  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

of  a  force  during  the  night,  in  the  direction  of  Chef 
Menteur,  to  hasten  and  join  hira  with  the  troops 
under  his  command ;  this  order  was  executed  hy  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  Previously,  however,  to  his 
arrival,  a  different  determination  was  made.  From 
prisoners  who  had  been  brought  in,  and  through  de- 
serters, it  was  ascertained  that  the  strength  of  the 
enemy  during  the  battle  was  four  thousand,  and, 
with  the  reinforcements  which  had  reached  them 
after  its  commencement,  and  during  the  action,  their 
force  could  not  be  less  than  six  ;  at  any  rate,  it  would 
greatly  exceed  his  own,  even  after  the  Tennessee 
division  should  be  added.  Although  very  decided 
advantages  had  been  obtained,  yet  they  had  been 
procured  under  circumstances  that  might  be  wholly 
lost  in  a  contest  waged  in  open  day,  between  forces 
so  disproportionate,  and  by  undisciplined  troops 
against  veteran  soldiers,  .lackson  well  knew  it  was 
incumbent  upon  him  to  act  a  part  entirely  defensive  : 
should  the  attempt  to  gain  and  destroy  the  city 
succeed,  numerous  difficulties  would  present  them- 
selves, which  might  be  avoided  so  long  as  he  could 
hold  the  enemy  in  check,  and  halt  him  in  his  designs. 
Prompted  by  these  considerations — that  it  was  im- 
portant to  pursue  a  course  calculated  to  assure  safety, 
and  believing  it  attainable  in  no  way  so  efFeciually 
as  in  occupying  some  point,  and  by  the  strength  he 
might  give  it  compensate  for  the  inferiority  of  his 
numbers  and  their  want  of  discipline,  he  determined 
to  forbear  all  further  offensive  efforts  until  he  could 
more  certainly  discover  the  views  of  the  enemy,  and 
until  the  Kentucky  troops,  which  had  not  yet  arrived, 
should  reach  him.  Pursuingthis  idea,  at  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  having  ordered  Colonel  Hinds  to  oc- 
cupy the  ground  he  was  then  abandoning,  and  to 
observe  the  enemy  closely,  he  fell  back,  and  formed 
his  line  behind  a  deep  ditch,  th  t  stretched  to  the 
Bwamp  at  right  angles  from  the  river.  'J'here  were 
two  circumstances  strongly  recommending  the  im* 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  10? 

portance  of  this  place : — the  swamp,  which  froitj 
the  highlands  at  Baton  Rouge  skirts  the  river  at 
irregular  distances,  and  in  many  places  is  almost 
impervious,  had  here  approached  within  four  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  Mississippi,  and  hence,  from  the 
narrowness  of  the  pass,  was  more  easily  to  be  de- 
fended ;  added  to  which,  there  was  a  deep  canal, 
whence  the  dirt  being  thrown  on  the  upper  side, 
already  formed  a  tolerable  work  of  defence.  Be- 
hind this  his  troops  were  formed,  and  proper  mea- 
sures adopted  for  increasing  its  strength,  with  a  de- 
termination never  to  abandon  it ;  but  there  to  resist 
to  the  last,  and  valiantly  to  defend  those  rights 
which  were  sought  to  be  outraged  and  destroyed. 

123.  Promptitude  and  decision,  and  activity  in 
execution,  constituted  the  leading  traits  of  Jackson's 
character.  No  sooner  had  he  resolved  on  the  course 
which  he  thought  necessary  to  be  pursued,  than  with 
every  possible  despatch  he  hastened  to  its  comple* 
tion.  Before  him  was  an  army  proud  of  its  name, 
and  distinguished  for  its  deeds  of  valour.  Opposed 
to  which  was  his  own  unbending  spirit,  and  an  in- 
ferior, undisciplined,  and  unarmed  force.  He  con- 
ceived, therefore,  that  his  was  a  defensive  policy, 
that  by  prudence  and  caution  he  would  be  able  to 
preserve  what  offensive  operation  might  have  a 
tendency  to  endanger.  Hence,  with  activity  and 
industry,  based  on  a  hope  of  ultimate  success,  he 
commenced  his  plan  of  defence,  determining  to  fortify 
himself  as  effectually  as  the  peril  and  pressure  of  the 
moment  would  permit.  When  to  expect  attack  he 
could  not  tell;  preparativjnand  readiness  to  meet  it  was 
for  him  to  determine  on,  all  else  was  for  the  enemy. 
Promptly,  therefore,  he  proceeded  with  his  system 
of  defence ;  and  with  such  thoughtfulness  and  anxiety, 
that  until  the  night  of  the  27th,  when  his  line  was 
completed,  he  never  slept,  or  for  a  moment  closed  his 
eyes.  Resting  his  hope  of  safety  here,  he  was 
everywhere,  through  the  night,  present,  encouraging 


108  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.        [cHAP. 

his  troops,  and  hastening  a  completion  of  the  work. 
The  concern  and  excitement  produced  by  the  mighty 
object  before  him  were  such  as  overcame  the  de- 
mand of  nature,  and  for  five  days  and  four  nights  he 
was  without  sleep  and  constantly  employed.  His 
line  of  defence  being  completed  on  the  night  of  the 
27th,  he,  for  the  first  time  since  the  arrival  of  the 
enemy,  retired  to  rest  and  repose. 

12-4.  The  soldier  who  has  stood  the  shock  of  bat- 
tle, and  knows  what  slight  circumstances  oftentimes 
produce  decided  advantages,  will  be  able  properly 
to  appreciate  the  events  of  this  night.  Although 
the  dreadful  carnage  of  the  8th  of  January,  here- 
after to  be  told,  was  in  fact  the  finishing  blow,  that 
struck  down  the  towering  hopes  of  the  invaders, 
and  put  an  end  to  the  contest,  yet  in  the  battle  of 
the  23d  is'  there  to  be  found  abundant  cause  why 
success  resulted  to  our  arms,  and  safety  was  given 
to  the  country.  The  British  had  reached  the  Mis- 
sissippi without  the  fire  of  a  gun,  and  encamped 
upon  its  banks  as  composedly  as  if  they  had  been 
seated  on  their  own  soil,  and  at  a  distance  from  all 
danger.  These  were  circumstances  which  awakened 
a  belief  that  they  expected  little  opposition, — were 
certain  of  success, — and  that  the  troops  with  whom 
they  were  to  contend  would  scarcely  venture  to  re- 
sist them :  resting  thus  confidently  in  the  expect- 
ation of  success,  they  would  the  next  day  have 
moved  forward  and  succeeded  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  their  designs.  Jackson,  convinced  that  an 
early  impression  was  essential  to  ultimate  success, 
had  resolved  to  assail  them  at  the  moment  of  their 
landing,  and  "  attack  them  in  their  first  position  :" 
we  have  therefore  seen  him,  with  a  force  inferior 
by  one-half  to  that  of  the  enemy,  at  an  unexpected 
moment  break  into  their  camp,  and  with  his  undis- 
ciplined yeomanry  drive  before  him  the  pride  of 
England  and  the  conquerors  of  Europe.  It  was 
an  event  that  could  not  fail  to  destroy  all  previous 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEAJTS.  100 

theories,  and  establish  a  conclusion  which  our 
enemy  had  not  before  formed,  that  they  were  con- 
tending against  valour  inferior  to  none  they  had 
seen — before  which  their  own  bravery  had  not 
stood,  nor  their  skill  availed  them  ;  it  had  the  effect 
of  satisfying  them,  that  the  quantity  and  kind  of 
troops  it  was  in  our  power  here  to  wield  must  be 
different  from  any  thing  that  had  been  represented 
to  them  ;  for  much  as  they  had  heard  of  the 
courage  of  the  man  with  whom  they  were  contend- 
ing, they  could  not  suppose  that  a  general,  having  a 
country  to  defend,  and  a  reputation  to  preserve, 
would  venture  to  attack  on  their  own  chosen  ground 
a  greatly  superior  army,  and  one  which,  by  the  nu- 
merous victories  it  had  achieved,  had  already  ac- 
quired a  fame  in  arms ;  they  were  convinced  that 
his  force  must  greatly  surpass  what  they  had  ex- 
pected, and  be  composed  of  materials  different  from 
what  they  had  imagined, 

125.  The  American  troops  which  were  actually 
engaged  did   not  amount  to  two   thousand   men ; 
they  consisted  of  part  of  Coffee's  brigade  and  Cap- 
tain Beal's  company,       -        _        -        -  648 
The  7th  and  44th  regiments,         -        -        -       763 
Company  of  marines  and  artillery,           -  82 
Plauche's  and  Daquin's  battalions,       -         -      488 
And  the  Mississippi  dragoons  under  Colonel 
Hinds,  not  in  the  action, 


186 


2167; 
which  for  more  than  an  hour  maintained  a  severe 
conflict  with  a  force  of  four  or  five  thousand,  and 
retired  in  safety  from  the  ground,  with  the  loss  of 
but  twenty-four  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
wounded,  and  seventy-four  made  prisoners  ;  while 
the  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  of  the  enemy 
were  not  less  than  four  hundred. 

126.    Our  officers  and  soldiers    executed  every 
order  with  promptitude,  and  nobly  sustained  their 

K 


110  LIFE    OF    JACKSOX.  [cHAP. 

country's  cnaracter.  Lieutenant-colonel  Lauder- 
dale, of  Coffee's  brigade,  an  officer  of  great  promise, 
and  on  whom  every  reliance  was  placed,  fell  at  his 
post,  and  at  his  duty ;  he  had  entered  the  service, 
and  descended  the  river  with  the  volunteers  under 
General  Jackson,  in  the  winter  of  1812 — passed 
through  all  the  hardships  and  difficulties  of  the 
Creek  war,  and  had  ever  manifested  a  readiness  to 
act  when  his  country  needed  his  services.  Young, 
brave,  and  skilful,  he  had  already  afforded  evidences 
of  a  capacity  which  might,  in  future,  have  become 
useful ;  his  exemplary  conduct,  both  in  civil  and 
military  life,  had  acquired  for  him  a  respect  that 
rendered  his  fall  a  subject  of  general  regret.  Lieu- 
tenant M'Lelland,  a  valuable  young  officer  of  the 
7th,  was  also  among  the  number  of  the  slain. 

127.  Coffee's  brigade,  during  the  action,  imitating 
the  example  of  their  commander,  bravely  contended, 
and  ably  supported  the  character  they  had  pre- 
viously established.  The  unequal  contest  in  which 
they  were  engaged  never  occurred  to  them  ;  nor, 
for  a  moment,  checked  the  rapidity  of  their  advance. 
Had  the  British  known  that  they  were  merely  rifle- 
men, and  without  bayonets,  a  firm  stand  would  have 
arrested  their  progress,  and  destruction  or  capture 
would  have  been  the  inevitable  consequence  ;  but 
this  circumstance  being  unknown,  every  charge 
they  made  was  crowned  with  success,  producing 
discomfiture,  and  routing  and  driving  superior  num- 
bers before  them.  Officers,  from  tlie  highest  to  in- 
ferior grades,  discharged  what  had  been  expected  of 
them.  Ensign  Leach,  of  the  7th  regiment,  being 
wounded  through  the  body,  still  remained  at  his 
post  and  in  the  performance  of  his  duty.  Colonel 
Reuben  Kemper,  enterprising  and  self-collected, 
amid  the  confusion  introduced  on  the  left  wing, 
found  himself  at  the  head  of  a  handful  of  men,  de- 
tached from  the  main  body,  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
party  of  the  enemy  :  never  did  any  man  better  ex- 


r.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  Ill 

emplify  the  truth  of  the  position,  that  discretion  is 
sometimes  the  better  part  of  valour :  to  attempt 
resistance  was  idle,  and  could  only  eventuate  in 
destruction :  with  a  mind  un«louded  by  the  peril 
that  surrounded  him,  he  sought  and  procured  his 
safety  through  stratagem.  Calling  to  a  group  of 
soldiers  who  were  near,  in  a  positive  tone,  he  de- 
manded of  them  where  their  regiment  was  :  lost 
themselves,  they  were  unable  to  answer ;  but  sup- 
posing him  one  of  their  own  officers,  they  assented 
to  his  orders,  and  followed  him  to  his  own  line, 
where  they  were  made  prisoners. 

128.  The  7th  regiment,  commanded  by  Major 
Piere,  and  the  44th,  under  Major  Baker,  aided  by 
Major  Butler,  gallantly  maintained  the  conflict — 
forced  the  enemy  from  every  secure  position  he 
attempted  to  occupy,  and  drove  him  a  mile  from 
the  first  point  of  attack.  Confiding  in  themselves, 
and  in  their  general,  who  was  constantly  with  them, 
exposed  to  danger  and  in  the  midst  of  the  fight, 
inspiring  by  his  ardour  and  encouraging  by  his  ex- 
ample, they  advanced  to  the  conflict,  nor  evinced  a 
disposition  to  leave  it  until  the  prudence  of  their 
commander  directed  them  to  retire. 

129.  From  the  violence  of  the  assault  already 
made,  the  fears  of  the  British  had  been  greatly  ex- 
cited ;  to  keep  their  apprehensions  alive  was  con- 
sidered important,  with  a  view  partially  to  destroy 
the  overweening  confidence  with  which  they  had 
arrived  on  our  shores,  and  to  compel  them  to  act 
for  a  time  upon  the  defensive.  To  effect  this.  Gen- 
eral Coff"ee,  with  his  brigade,  was  ordered  down  on 
the  morning  of  the  24th,  to  unite  with  Colonel 
Hinds,  and  make  a  show  in  the  rear  of  Lacoste's 
plantation.  The  enemy,  not  yet  recovered  of  the 
panic  produced  by  the  assault  of  the  preceding 
evening,  already  believed  it  was  in  contemplation 
to  urge  another  attack,  and  immediately  formed 
themselves  to  repel  it ;  but  Coffee,  having  succeeded 


il2  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

in  recovering  some  of  his  horses,  which  were 
wandering  along  the  ma-gin  of  the  swamp,  and  in 
regaining  part  of  the  clotning  which  his  troops  had 
lost  the  night  before,  returned  to  the  hne,  leaving 
them  to  conjecture  the  objects  of  his  movement. 

130.  The  scanty  supply  of  clothes  and  blankets 
that  remained  to  the  soldiers,  from  their  long  and 
exposed  marches,  had  been  left  where  they  dis- 
mounted to  meet  the  enemy.  Their  numbers  were 
too  limited,  and  the  strength  of  their  opponents  too 
well  ascertained,  for  any  part  of  their  force  to  re- 
main and  take  care  of  what  was  left  behind  :  it  was 
so  essential  to  hasten  on,  reach  their  destination, 
and  be  ready  to  act  when  the  signal  from  the  Caro- 
line should  announce  their  co-operation  necessary, 
that  no  time  was  afforded  them  to  secure  their 
horses, — wMch  were  turned  loose,  and  their  re- 
covery trusted  entirely  to  chance.  i\lthough  many 
were  regained,  many  were  lost;  while  most  of  the 
men  remained  with  but  a  single  suit,'  to  encounter, 
in  the  open  field,  and  in  swamps  covered  with 
water,  the  hardships  of  a  camp,  and  the  severity  of 
winter.  It  is  a  circumstance  which  entitles  them 
to  much  credit,  that  under  privations  so  severely 
oppressive,  complaints  or  murmurs  were  never 
heard.  This  state  of  things  fortunately  was  not  of 
long  continuance.  The  story  of  their  sufferings 
and  misfortunes  was  no  sooner  known,  than  the 
legislature  appropriated  a  sum  of  money  for  their 
relief,  which  was  greatly  increased  by  subscription* 
in  the  city  and  neighbourhood.  Materials  being 
purchased,  the  ladies,  with  that  Christian  charity 
and  warmth  of  heart  characteristic  of  their  sex,  at 
once  exerted  themselves  in  removing  their  dis- 
tresses: all  their  industry  was  called  into  action, 
and  in  a  little  time  the  suffering  soldier  was  relieved. 
Such  generous  conduct,  in  extending  assistance  at 
a  moment  when  it  was  so  much  needed,  while  it 
conferred  on  those  females  the   highest  honour, 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  113 

could  not  fail  to  nerve  the  arm  of  the  brave  with 
new  zeal  for  the  defence  of  their  benefactresses. 
This  distinguished  mark  of  their  patriotism  and 
benevolence  is  still  remembered ;  and  often  as  these 
valiant  men  are  heard  to  recount  the  dangers  they 
have  passed,  and  with  peculiar  pride  to  dwell  on 
the  mingled  honours  and  hardships  of  the  campaign, 
they  breathe  a  sentiment  of  gratitude  to  those 
who  conferred  upon  them  such  distinguished  marks 
of  their  kindness,  and  who,  by  timely  interference, 
alleviated  their  misfortunes  and  their  sufferings. 

131.  To  present  a  check,  and  keep  up  a  show  of 
resistance,  detachments  of  light  troops  were  occa- 
sionally kept  in  front  of  the  line,  assaihng  and  har- 
assing the  enemy's  advanced  posts  whenever  an 
opportunity  was  olfered  of  acting  to  advantage. 
Every  moment  that  could  be  gained,  and  every  de- 
lay that  could  be  extended  to  the  enemy's  attempts 
to  reach  the  city,  was  of  the  utmost  importance. 
The  works  were  rapidly  progressing,  and  hourly 
increasing  in  strength.  The  militia  of  the  state 
were  every  day  arriving,  and  every  day  the  prospect 
of  successful  opposition  was  brightening. 

13-2.  The  enemy  still  remained  at  his  first  encamp- 
ment. To  be  in  readiness  to  repel  an  assault  when 
attempted,  the  most  active  exertions  were  made  on 
the  24th  and  25th.  The  canal  covering  the  front  of 
our  line  was  deepened  and  widened,  and  a  strong 
mud  wall  formed  of  the  earth  that  had  been  origin- 
ally thrown  out.  To  prevent  any  approach  until 
his  system  of  defence  should  be  in  a  state  of  greater 
forwardness,  Jackson  ordered  the  levee  to  be  cut, 
about  a  hundred  yards  below  the  point  he  had  occu- 
pied. The  river  being  very  high,  a  broad  stream  of 
water  passed  rapidly  through  the  plain,  of  the  depth 
of  thirty  or  forty  inches,  which  prevented  any  ap- 
proach of  troops  on  foot.  Embrasures  were  formed 
and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Spotts,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th, 

K  2 


114  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP 

were  placed  in  a  position  to  rake  the  road  leading 
up  the  levee. 

133.  He  was  under  the  constant  apprehension 
iest,  in  spite  of  his  exertions  beh)\v,  the  city  might, 
through  some  other  route,  be  reached  and  destroyed  ; 
and  those  fears  were  increased  this  day  b)'-  a  report 
that  a  strong  force  had  arrived — debarked  at  the 
head  of  Lake  Borgne,  and  compelled  an  abandorn- 
ment  of  the  defence  at  Chef  INIenteur.  This,  how- 
ever, proved  to  be  unfounded  -.  the  enemy  had  not 
appeared  in  that  direction,  nor  had  the  officer  to 
whom  was  intrusted  the  command  of  this  fort,  so 
much  relied  on,  forgotten  his  duty  or  forsaken  his 
post.  Acting  upon  the  statement  that  Major  La- 
coste  had  retired  from  the  fort,  and  fallen  back  on 
bayou  wSt.  John,  and  incensed  that  orders  which 
from  their  importance  should  have  been  faithfully 
executed,  had  been  thus  lightly  regarded,  he  has- 
tened to  inform  him  what  he  had  understood,  and 
to  forbid  his  leaving  his  pooition.  "  The  battery  I 
have  placed  under  your  command  must  be  defended 
at  all  hazards.  In  you,  and  the  valour  of  your 
troops,  I  repose  every  confidence  ; — let  me  not  be 
deceived.  With  us  every  thing  goes  on  well ;  the 
enemy  has  not  yet  advanced.  Our  troops  have 
covered  themselves  with  glory  :  it  is  a  noble  exam- 
ple, and  w^orthy  to  be  followed  by  all.  Maintain 
your  post,  nor  ever  think  of  retreating."  To  give 
additional  strength  to  a  place  deemed  so  important, 
inspire  confidence,  and  ensure  safety,  Colonel  Dyer, 
with  two  hundred  men,  was  ordered  there,  to  assist 
in  its  defence,  and  act  as  videttes,  in  advance  of  the 
occupied  points. 

131.  General  Morgan,  who  at  the  English  turn 
commanded  the  fort  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river, 
was  instructed  to  proceed  as  near  tlie  enemy's  camp 
as  prudence  and  safety  would  permit,  and  by  de- 
stroying the  levee,  to  let  in  the  waters  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi between  them.    The  execution  of  this  ordejCg 


"•] 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  115 


and  a  similar  one  previously  made  below  the  line  of 
defence,  had  entirely  insulated  the  enemy,  and  pre- 
vented his  march  against  either  place.  On  the  26th, 
however,  the  commanding  general,  fearing  for  the 
situation  of  Morgan,  who,  from  the  British  occupy- 
ing the  intermediate  ground,  was  entirely  detached 
from  his  camp,  directed  him  to  abandon  his  encamp 
nient,  carry  off  such  of  the  cannon  as  might  be 
wanted,  and  throw  the  remainder  into  the  river 
where  they  could  be  again  recovered  when  the 
waters  receded  ;  to  retire  to  the  other  side  of  the 
river,  and  assume  a  position  on  the  right  bank,  nearly 
opposite  to  his  line,  and  have  it  fortified.  This  move- 
ment was  imposed  by  the  relative  disposition  of  the 
two  armies.  Necessity,  not  choice,  made  it  essen- 
tial that  St.  Leon  should  be  abandoned. 

135.  From  every  intelligence  obtained  through 
deserters  and  prisoners,  it  was  evident  that  the  Brit- 
ish fleet  would  make  an  effort  to  ascend  the  river, 
and  co-operate  with  the  troops  already  landed.  Lest 
this,  or  a  diversion  in  a  different  quarter,  might  be 
attempted,  exertions  were  made  to  be  able  to  resist 
at  all  points,  and  to  interpose  such  defences  on  the 
Mississippi  as  might  assure  protection.  The  forts 
on  the  river,  well  supported  with  brave  men  and 
heavy  pieces  of  artillery,  might  perhaps  have  the 
effect  to  deter  their  shipping  from  venturing  in  that 
direction,  and  dispose  them  to  seek  some  safer 
route,  if  any  could  be  discovered.  Pass  Barrataria 
was  best  calculated  for  this  purpose,  and  here,  in 
all  probability,  it  was  expected  the  effort  might  be 
made.  The  difficulty  of  ascending  the  Mississippi, 
from  the  rapidity  of  the  current,  its  winding  course, 
and  the  ample  protection  already  given  at  forts  St. 
Philip  and  Bourbon,  were  circumstances  to  which 
it  was  not  to  be  inferred  the  British  were  strangers : 
nor  was  it  to  be  expected  that,  with  a  knowledge 
of  them,  they  would  venture  here  the  success  of  an 
enterprise  on  which  so  much  depended.  It  was  a 
snore  ratiojial  conjecture  that  they  would  seeii  .a 


116  LIFE    OF    JACKSOX.  [cHAP. 

passage  through  Barrataria — proceed  up  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  and  gain  a  position  whence,  co- 
operating with  the  forces  on  the  east  side,  they 
might  drive  our  troops  from  the  line  they  had 
formed,  and,  at  less  hazard,  succeed  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  their  designs.  Major  Reynolds  was  ac- 
cordingly ordered  thither,  with  instructions  to  place 
the  bayous  emptying  through  this  pass  in  the  best 
possible  state  of  defence — to  occupy  and  strengthen 
the  island — to  mount  sufficient  ordnance,  and  draw 
a  chain  within  cannon-shot  across,  the  more  eflfect- 
ually  to  guard  the  route,  and  protect  it  from  ap- 
proach. Lafitte,  who  had  been  heretofore  promised 
pardon  for  the  outrages  committed  against  the  laws 
of  the  United  States,  and  who  had  already  shown  a 
lively  zeal  on  behalf  of  his  adopted  country,  was 
also  despatclied  with  Reynolds.  He  was  selected, 
because,  from  the  proofs  already  given,  no  doubt 
was  entertained  of  his  fidelity,  and  because  his 
knowledge  of  the  topography  and  precise  situation 
of  this  section  of  the  state  was  remarkably  correct : 
it  was  the  point  where  he  had  constantly  rendez- 
voused, during  the  time  of  cruising  against  the  mer- 
chant vessels  of  Spain,  under  a  commission  obtained 
at  Carthagena,  and  where  he  had  become  perfectly 
acquainted  with  every  inlet  and  entrance  to  the  gulf 
through  which  a  passage  could  be  effected. 

136.  With  these  arrangements — treason  apart — 
all  anxiously  alive  to  the  interest  of  the  country, 
and  disposed  to  protect  it,  there  was  little  room  to 
apprehend  or  fear  disaster.  To  use  the  general's 
own  expression  on  another  occasion,  "  the  surest 
defence,  and  one  which  seldom  failed  of  success, 
was  a  rampart  of  high-minded  and  brave  men." 
That  there  were  some  of  this  description  with  him, 
on  whom  he  could  safely  rely  in  moments  of  ex- 
treme peril,  he  well  knew ;  but  that  there  were 
many  strangers  to  him,  and  to  danger,  and  who  had 
never  been  called  to  act  in  those  situations  w^here 
•*<*athu  stalk insr  in  liideous  round,  appals  and  un- 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  117 

nerves  even  the  most  resolute,  was  equally  certain  ; 
whether  they  would  contend  with  manly  firmness, 
support  the  cause  in  which  they  had  embarked,  and 
realize  his  anxious  wishes  on  the  subject,  could  be 
only  known  in  the  moment  of  conflict  and  trial ; 
when,  if  disappointed  in  his  expectations,  the  means 
of  retrieving-  the  evil  would  be  fled,  and  every  thing 
lost  in  the  result. 

137.  As  yet  the  enemy  were  uninformed  of  the 
position  of  Jackson.  What  was  his  situation — what 
was  intended — whether  offensive  or  defensive  ope- 
rations would  be  pursued,  were  circumstances  on 
which  they  possessed  no  correct  knowledge,  nor 
could  it  be  obtained  ;  still  their  exertions  were  un- 
remitting to  have  all  things  prepared,  and  in  readi- 
ness to  urge  their  designs  whenever  the  moment 
for  action  should  arrive.  They  had  been  constantly 
engaged  since  their  landing,  in  procuring  from  their 
shipping  every  thing  necessary  to  ulterior  opera- 
tion. A  complete  command  on  the  lakes,  and  pos- 
session of  a  point  on  the  margin,  presented  an  un- 
interrupted ingress  and  egress,  and  afforded  the 
opportunity  of  conveying  whatever  was  wanted  in 
perfect  safety  to  their  camp.  The  height  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  the  discharge  of  water  through  the 
openings  made  in  the  levee,  had  given  an  increased 
depth  to  the  canal,  from  which  they  had  first  de- 
barked— enabled  them  to  advance  their  boats  much 
farther  in  the  direction  of  their  encampment,  and 
to  bring  up,  with  greater  convenience,  their  artil- 
lery, bombs,  and  munitions.  Thus  engaged  du- 
ring the  first  three  days  after  their  arrival,  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  27th  a  battery  was  discovered 
on  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  had  been  erected 
during  the  preceding  night,  and  on  which  were 
mounted  several  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance :  from 
this  position  a  fire  was  opened  on  the  Caroline 
schooner,  lying  under  the  opposite  shore. 

138.  After  the  battle  of  the  23d,  in  which  this 


118  LIFE    OF    JACKSOy.  [cHAP. 

vessel  had  so  effectually  aided,  she  had  passed  to 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  where  she  had  since 
lain.  Her  services  vt^ere  too  highly  appreciated  not 
to  be  again  desired,  should  the  enemy  endeavour  to 
advance.  Her  present  situation  was  considered 
truly  an  unsafe  one,  but  it  had  been  essayed  in  vain 
to  advance  her  higher  up  the  stream.  No  favour- 
able breeze  had  yet  arisen  to  aid  her  in  stemming 
the  current ;  and  towing,  and  other  remedies,  had 
been  already  resorted  to,  but  v/ithout  success.  Her 
safety  might  have  been  ensured  by  floating  her 
down  the  river,  and  placing  her  under  cover  of 
the  guns  of  the  fort ;  but  it  was  preferred,  as  a 
matter  of  policy,  to  risk  her  where  she  was,  still 
hourl}'  calculating  that  a  favourable  wind  might  re- 
lieve her,  rather  than,  by  dropping  her  with  the  cur- 
rent, lose  those  benefits  which,  against  an  advance 
of  the  enemy,  it  might  be  in  her  power  so  com- 
pletely to  extend.  Commodore  Patterson  had  left 
her  on  the  26th,  by  the  orders  of  the  commanding 
general,  when  Captain  Henly  made  a  further  but  in- 
effectual effort  to  force  her  up  the  current,  near  to 
the  line,  for  the  double  purpose  of  its  defence  and 
for  her  own  safety. 

139.  These  attempts  to  remove  her  being  dis- 
covered at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  a 
battery,  mounting  five  guns,  opened  upon  her,  dis- 
charging bombs  and  red-hot  shot ;  it  was  spiritedly 
answered,  but  without  affecting  the  battery  ;  there 
being  but  a  long  twelve-pounder  that  could  reach. 
The  second  fire  had  lodged  a  hot  shot  in  the  hold, 
directly  under  her  cables,  whence  it  could  not  be 
removed,  and  where  it  immediately  communicated 
fire  to  the  schooner.  The  shot  from  the  battery 
were  constantly  taking  effect,  firing  her  in  different 
places,  and  otherwise  producing  material  injury; 
while  the  blaze  already  kindled  under  her  cables 
was  rapidly  extending  its  ravages.  A  well-grounded 
apprehension  of  her  commander,  that  she  could  be 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  119 

no  longer  defended, — the  flames  bursting  forth  in 
diflferent  parts,  and  fast  increasing — induced  a  fear 
lest  the  magazine  should  be  soon  reached,  and 
every  thing  destroyed.  One  of  his  crew  being 
killed,  and  six  wounded,  and  not  a  glimmering  of 
hope  entertained  that  she  could  be  preserved,  orders 
were  given  to  abandon  her.  The  crew  reached  the 
shore  in  safety,  and  in  a  short  time  afterward  she 
blew  up. 

140.  Although  thus  unexpectedly  deprived  of  so 
material  a  dependence  for  successful  defence,  an 
opportunity  was  soon  presented  of  using  her  brave 
crew  to  advantage.  Gathering  confidence  from 
what  had  been  just  effected,  the  enemy  left  their 
encampment,  and  moved  in  the  direction  of  our 
line.  Their  numbers  had  been  increased,  and  Ma- 
jor-general Sir  Edward  Packenham  now  com- 
manded in  person.  Early  on  the  28th,  his  columns 
commenced  their  advance  to  storm  our  works.  At 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  their  heavy  artillery 
opened,  and  quantities  of  bombs,  balls,  and  con- 
greve  rockets  were  discharged.  It  was  a  scene  of 
terror  and  alarm,  which  they  had  probably  calcu- 
lated would  excite  a  panic  in  the  minds  of  the  raw 
troops  of  our  army,  and  compel  them  to  surrender 
at  discretion,  or  abandon  their  strong-hold.  But 
our  soldiers  had  afforded  abundant  proof,  that, 
whether  disciplined  or  not,  they  well  knew  how  to 
defend  the  honour  and  interests  of  their  country ; 
and  had  sufRcient  valour  not  to  be  alarmed  at  the 
reality — still  less  the  semblance  of  danger.  Far 
from  exciting  their  apprehensions,  and  driving  them 
from  their  ground,  their  firmness  still  remained  un- 
changed ;  still  was  manifested  a  determination  not 
to  tarnish  a  reputation  they  had  hardly  earned  ;  and 
which  had  become  too  dear,  from  the  difficulties 
and  dangers  they  had  passed  to  acquire  it,  for  it 
now  tamely  to  be  surrendered.  Their  congreve 
rockets,  though  a  kind  of  instrument  of  destruction 


120  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

to  which  our  troops,  unskilled  in  the  science  of 
desolating  warfare,  had  been  hitherto  strangers,  ex- 
cited no  other  feeling  than  that  which  novelty  in- 
spires. At  the  moment,  therefore,  that  the  British, 
in  different  columns,  were  moving  up,  in  all  the  pomp 
and  parade  of  battle,  preceded  by  these  insignia  of 
terror  more  than  danger,  and  were  expecting  to  be- 
hold their  "  Yankee  foes"  tremblingly  retire  and 
flee  before  them,  our  batteries  opened,  and  halted 
their  advance. 

141.  In  addition  to  the  two  pieces  of  cannon 
mounted  on  our  works  on  the  24th,  three  others,  of 
heavy  caliber,  obtained  from  the  navy  department, 
had  been  formed  along  the  line  ;  these  opening  on 
the  enemy,  checked  their  progress,  and  disclosed 
to  them  the  hazard  of  the  project  they  were  on. 
Lieutenants  Crawley  and  Norris  volunteered,  and 
with  the  crew  of  the  Caroline  rendered  important 
services,  and  maintained  at  the  guns  they  com- 
manded that  firmness  and  decision  for  which  on 
previous  occasions  they  had  been  so  highly  distin- 
guished. They  had  been  selected  by  the  general 
because  of  their  superior  knowledge  in  gunnery ; 
and  on  this  occasion  gave  a  further  evidence  of 
their  skill  and  judgment,  and  of  a  disposition  to  act 
in  any  situation  where  they  could  be  serviceable. 
The  line,  which,  from  the  labours  bestowed  on  it, 
was  daily  strengthening,  was  not  yet  in  a  situation 
effectually  to  resist ;  this  deficiency,  however,  was 
well  remedied  by  the  brave  men  who  were  formed 
in  its  rear. 

142.  From  the  river  the  greatest  injury  was 
effected.  Lieutenant  Thompson,  who  commanded 
the  Louisiana  sloop,  which  lay  nearly  opposite  the 
line  of  defence,  no  sooner  discovered  the  columns 
approaching  than,  warping  her  around,  he  brought 
her  starboard  guns  to  bear,  and  produced  such  an 
effect  as  forced  them  to  retreat :  but,  from  their 
heavy  artillery,  the  enemy  maintained  the  conflict 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  121 

with  great  spirit,  constantly  discharging  their  bombs 
and  rockets  for  seven  hours,  when,  unable  to  make 
a  breach,  or  silence  the  fire  from  the  sloop,  they 
abandoned  a  contest  where  few  advantages  seemed 
to  be  presented.  The  crew  of  this  vessel  was  com- 
posed of  new  recruits,  and  of  discordant  materials, 
— of  soldiers,  citizens,  and  seamen  ;  yet,  by  the  ac- 
tivity of  their  commander,  they  were  so  well  per- 
fected in  their  duty,  that  they  already  managed 
their  guns  with  the  greatest  precision  and  certainty 
of  effect ;  and,  by  three  o'clock  in  the  evening,  with 
the  aid  of  the  land  batteries,  had  completely  si- 
lenced and  driven  back  the  enemy.  Emboldened 
by  the  effect  produced  the  day  before  on  the  Caro- 
line, the  furnaces  of  the  enemy  were  put  in  opera- 
tion, and  numbers  of  hot  shot  thrown  from  a  heavy 
piece  which  was  placed  behind  and  protected  by 
the  levee.  An  attempt  was  now  made  to  carry  it 
oft',  when  that  protection  heretofore  had  being  taken 
away,  those  in  the  direction  of  it  were  fairly  ex- 
posed to  our  fire,  and  suffered  greatly.  In  their 
endeavours  to  remove  it,  "  I  saw,"  says  Commo- 
dore Patterson,  "  distinctly,  with  the  aid  of  a  glass, 
several  balls  strike  in  the  midst  of  the  men  who 
were  employed  in  dragging  it  away."  In  this  en- 
gagement, commenced  and  waged  for  seven  hours, 
we  received  little  or  no  injury.  The  Louisiana 
sloop,  against  which  the  most  violent  exertions 
were  made,  had  but  a  single  man  wounded,  by  the 
fragments  of  a  shell  which  burst  over  her  deck. 
Our  entire  loss  did  not  exceed  nine  killed,  and 
eight  or  ten  wounded.  The  enemy,  being  more  ex- 
posed, acting  in  the  open  field,  and  in  range  of  our 
guns,  suffered,  from  information  afterward  pro- 
cured, considerable  injury ;  at  least  one  hundred 
and  twenty  were  killed  and  wounded. 

143.  Among  the  killed  on  our  side  was  Colonel 
James  Henderson,  of  the  Tennessee  militia.  An 
advance  party  of  the  British  had,  during  the  action, 

Li 


122  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

taken  post  behind  a  fence  that  ran  obliquely  to,  and 
not  very  remote  from  our  line,  Henderson,  with  a 
detachment  of  two  hundred  men,  who  was  sent  out 
by  General  Carroll  to  drive  them  from  a  position 
whence  they  were  effecting  some  injury,  and  greatly 
annoying  our  troops.  Had  he  advanced  in  the  man- 
ner directed,  he  would  have  been  less  exposed,  and 
enabled  more  effectually  to  have  secured  the  object 
intended  ;  but,  misunderstanding  the  order,  he  pro- 
ceeded in  a  different  route,  and  fell  a  victim  to  his 
error.  Instead  of  marching  in  the  direction  of  the 
wood,  and  turning  the  enemy,  which  might  have  cut 
off  their  retreat,  he  proceeded  in  front,  towards  the 
river,  leaving  them  in  rear  of  the  fence,  and  himself 
and  his  detachment  open  and  exposed.  His  mis- 
take being  perceived  from  the  line,  he  was  called  by 
the  adjutant»general,  and  directed  to  return ;  but  the 
noise  of  the  waters,  through  which  they  were  wad- 
ing, prevented  any  communication.  Having  reached 
a  knoll  of  dry  ground,  he  formed,  and  attempted  the 
execution  of  his  order ;  but  soon  fell  by  a  wound  in 
the  head.  Deprived  of  their  commander,  and  per- 
ceiving their  situation  hazardous  and  untenable,  the 
detachment  retreated  to  the  line,  with  the  loss  of 
their  colonel  and  five  men. 

144.  While  this  advance  was  made,  a  column  of  the 
enemy  was  threatening  an  attack  on  our  extreme 
left;  to  frustrate  the  attempt.  Coffee  was  ordered 
with  his  riflemen  to  hasten  through  the  woods,  and 
check  their  approach.  The  enemy,  although  greatly 
superior  to  him  in  numbers,  no  sooner  discovered 
his  movement  than  they  retired,  and  abandoned  the 
attack  they  had  previously  meditated. 

145.  A  supposed  disaffection  in  New-Orleans,  and 
an  enemy  in  front,  were  circumstances  well  calcu- 
lated to  excite  unpleasantforebodings.  GeneralJack- 
son  believed  it  necessary  and  essential  to  his  secu- 
rity, while  contending  with  avowed  foes,  not  to  be 
wholly  inattentive  to  dangers  lurking  at  home ;  but. 


^•j 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  123 


by  guarding  vigilantly,  to  be  able  to  suppress  any 
treasonable  purpose  the  moment  it  should  be  devel- 
oped, and,  before  it  should  have  time  to  mature. 
Previously,  therefore,  to  departing  from  the  city,  on 
the  evening  of  the  23rd,  he  had  ordered  Major  But- 
ler, his  aid,  to  remain  with  the  guards,  and  be  vigi- 
lant that  nothing  transpired  in  his  absence  calculated 
to  operate  injuriously.  His  fears  that  there  were 
many  of  the  inhabitants  who  felt  no  attachment  to 
the  government,  and  would  not  scruple  to  surrender 
whenever,  prompted  by  their  interest,  it  should 
become  necessary,  has  been  already  noticed.  In 
this  belief,  subsequent  circumstances  evinced  there 
was  no  mistake,  and  showed  that  to  his  assiduity 
and  energy  is  to  be  ascribed  that  the  country  was 
protected  and  saved.  It  is  a  fact,  which  was  dis- 
closed on  making  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  that, 
despite  of  all  the  efforts  made  to  prevent  it,  the 
enemy  were  daily  and  constantly  apprized  of  every 
thing  that  transpired  in  our  camp.  Every  arrange- 
ment, and  every  change  of  position,  was  immedi- 
ately communicated.  On  the  day  subsequent  to  a 
contest  on  the  lakes,  on  the  14th  December,  Mr. 
Shields,  purser  in  the  navy,  had  been  despatched 
with  a  flag,  to  Cat  island,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Mur- 
rell,  for  the  purpose  of  alleviating  the  situation  of 
our  wounded,  and  to  effect  a  negotiation,  by  which 
they  should  be  liberated  on  parole.  We  are  not 
aware  that  such  an  application  militated  against  the 
usages  and  customs  of  war  :  if  not,  the  flag  of  truce 
should  have  been  respected  ;  nor  ought  its  bearer  to 
have  been  detained  as  a  prisoner.  Admiral  Coch- 
rane's  pretended  fear  that  it  was  a  wile,  designed  to 
ascertain  his  strength  and  situation,  is  far  from  pre- 
senting any  sufficient  excuse  for  so  wanton  an  out- 
rage on  propriety  and  the  rules  of  war.  If  this 
were  apprehended,  could  not  the  messengers  have 
been  met  at  a  distance  from  the  fleet,  and  ordered 
back  without  a  near  approach  1    Had  this  been  done 


124  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

no  information  could  have  been  gained,  and  the 
object  designed  to  be  secured  by  the  detention 
would  have  been  answered,  without  infringing  that 
amicable  intercourse  between  contending  armies, 
which,  when  violated  or  disregarded,  opens  a  door 
to  brutal  and  savage  warfare.  Finding  they  did 
not  return,  the  cause  of  it  was  at  once  correctly 
divined. 

146.  The  British  admiral  was  very  solicitous,  and 
resorted  to  various  means,  to  obtain  from  these  gen- 
tlemen information  of  the  strength  and  condition 
and  disposition  of  our  army  ;  but  so  cautious  a  re- 
serve was  maintained,  that  from  them  nothing  could 
be  elicited.  Shields  was  perceived  to  be  quite  deaf, 
and  calculating  on  some  advantage  to  be  derived 
from  this  circumstance,  he  and  the  doctor  were 
placed  at  ni^ht  in  the  green-room,  where  any  con- 
versation which  occurred  between  them  could 
readily  be  heard.  Suspecting,  perhaps,  something 
of  the  kind,  after  having  retired,  and  every  thing 
was  seemingly  still,  they  began  to  speak  of  their 
situation — the  circumstance  of  their  being  detained, 
and  of  the  prudent  caution  with  which  they  had 
guarded  themselves  against  communicating  any  in- 
formation to  the  British  admiral.  But,  continued 
Shields,  how  greatly  these  gentlemen  will  be  disap- 
pointed in  their  expectations,  for  Jackson,  with  the 
twenty  thousand  troops  he  now  has,  and  the  rein- 
forcements from  Kentucky,  which  must  speedily 
reach  him,  will  be  able  to  destroy  any  force  that  can 
be  landed  from  these  ships.  Every  word  was  heard 
and  treasured,  and  not  supposing  there  was  any 
design,  or  that  he  presumed  himself  overheard,  they 
were  beguiled  by  it,  and  at  once  concluded  our 
force  to  be  as  great  as  it  was  represented  ;  and 
hence,  no  doubt,  arose  the  reason  of  tliat  prudent  care 
and  caution  with  which  the  enemy  afterward  pro- 
ceeded; for  "nothing,"  remarked  a  British  officer, 
at  the  close  of  the  invasion,  "  was  kept  a  secret 


T.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  125 

from  us,  except  your  numbers ;  this,  although  dili- 
gently sought  after,  could  never  be  procured." 

147.  Between  the  23d,  and  the  attack  on  the  28th, 
to  carry  our  line.  Major  Butler,  who  still  remained 
at  his  post  in  the  citj'^,  was  applied  to  by  Fulwar 
Skipwith,  at  that  time  speaker  of  the  senate,  to  as- 
certain the  commanding  general's  views  provided 
he  should  be  driven  from  his  line  of  encampment, 
and  compelled  to  retreat  through  the  city  ;  would 
he  in  that  event  destroy  it  1  It  was,  indeed,  a  cu- 
rious inquiry  from  one  who,  having  spent  his  life  in 
serving  his  country  in  different  capacities,  might 
better  have  understood  the  duty  of  a  subordinate 
officer ;  and  that  even  if,  from  his  situation,  Major 
Butler  had  so  far  acquired  the  confidence  of  his 
general  as  to  have  become  acquainted  with  his  views 
and  designs,  he  was  not  at  liberty  to  divulge  them, 
without  destroying  confidence  and  acting  criminally. 
On  asking  the  cause  of  the  inquiry,  Mr.  Skipwith 
replied,  it  was  rumoured,  and  so  understood,  that  if 
driven  from  his  position,  and  made  to  retreat  upon 
the  city,  General  Jackson  had  it  in  contemplation  to 
lay  it  in  ruins  ;  the  legislature,  he  said,  desired  infor- 
mation on  this  subject,  that  if  such  were  his  inten- 
tions, they  might,  by  offering  terms  of  capitulation 
to  the  enemy,  avert  so  serious  a  calamity.  That  a 
sentiment  having  for  its  object  a  surrender  of  the 
city  should  be  entertained  by  this  body  was  scarcely 
credible  ;  yet  a  few  days  brought  the  certainty  of  it 
more  fully  to  view,  and  showed  that  they  w^ere 
already  devising  plans  to  ensure  the  safety  of  them- 
selves and  property,  even  at  any  sacrifice.  While  the 
general  was  hastening  along  the  line,  from  ordering 
Coffee,  as  we  have  just  observed,  against  a  column 
of  the  British  on  the  extreme  left,  he  was  hailed  by 
Mr.  Duncan,  one  of  his  volunteer  aids,  and  informed 
that  already  it  was  agitated,  secretly,  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  legislature,  to  offer  terms  of  capitulation 
to  the  enemy,  and  proffer  a  surrender,  and  that 

L2 


126  LIFE    OF   JACKSON.  [clIAP. 

Governor  Claiborne  awaited  his  orders  on  the  sub- 
ject. Poised  as  was  the  result,  the  safety  or 
fall  of  the  city  resting^  in  uncertainty,  although  it 
was  plainly  to  be  perceived,  that,  with  a  strong-  army 
before  them,  no  such  resolution  could  be  carried  into 
effect,  yet  it  might  be  productive  of  evil,  and  in  the 
end  bring  about  the  most  fatal  consequences.  Even 
the  disclosure  of  such  a  wish  on  the  part  of  the 
legislature  might  create  parties,  excite  opposition 
in  the  army,  and  inspire  the  enemy  with  renewed 
confidence.  The  Tennessee  forces,  and  Mississippi 
volunteers,  it  was  not  feared  would  be  effected  by 
the  measure ;  but  it  might  detach  the  Louisiana 
militia,  and  even  extend  itself  to  the  ranks  of  the 
regular  troops.  Jackson  was  greatly  incensed,  that 
those  whose  safety  he  had  so  much  at  heart,  should 
)e  seeking,  under  the  authority  of  office,  to  mar  his 
)est  exertions.  He  was,  however,  too  warmly 
Dressed  at  the  moment,  for  the  battle  was  raging,  to 
^ive  it  the  attention  its  importance  merited ;  but, 
availing  himself  of  the  first  respite  from  the  violence 
of  the  attack  waged  against  him,  he  apprized  Gover- 
nor Claiborne  of  what  he  had  heard  ; — ordered  him 
closely  to  watch  the  conduct  of  the  legislature,  and 
the  moment  a  project  of  offering  a  capitulation  to 
the  enemy  should  be  fully  disclosed,  to  place  a  guard 
at  the  door  and  confine  them  to  their  chamber.  The 
governor,  in  his  zeal  to  execute  the  command,  and 
from  a  fear  of  the  consequences  involved  on  such 
conduct,  construed  as  imperative  an  order  which 
was  merely  contingent;  and  placing  an  armed  force 
at  the  door  of  the  capitol,  prevented  the  mem- 
bers from  convening,  and  their  schemes  from  ma- 
turing. 

148.  The  purport  of  this  order  was  essentially  mis- 
conceived by  the  governor  ;  or,  perhaps,  with  a  view 
to  avoid  subsequent  inconveniences  and  complaints, 
was  designedly  mistaken.  Jackson's  object  was 
not   to  restrain  the   legislature   in  the  discharge 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  127 

of  their  official  duties  ;  for  although  he  thought 
that  such  a  moment,  when  the  sound  of  the  cannon 
was  constantly  pealing  in  their  ears,  was  inau- 
spicious to  wholesome  legislation,  and  that  it  would 
have  better  comported  with  the  state  of  the  times 
for  them  to  abandon  their  civil  duties  and  ap- 
pear in  the  field,  yet  was  it  a  matter  indelicate  to 
be  proposed :  and  it  was  hence  preferred,  that  they 
should  adopt  whatever  course  might  be  suggested 
by  their  own  notions  of  propriety.  This  sentiment 
would  have  been  still  adhered  to  ;  but  when  through 
the  communication  of  Mr.  Duncan  they  were  repre- 
sented as  entertaining  opinions  and  schemes  adverse 
to  the  general  interest  and  safety  of  the  country, 
the  necessity  of  a  new  and  different  course  of  con- 
duct was  at  once  obvious.  But  he  did  not  order 
Governor  Claiborne  to  interfere  with  or  prevent 
them  from  proceeding  with  their  duties  ;  on  the 
■contrary,  he  was  instructed,  as  soon  as  any  thing 
hostile  to  the  general  cause  should  be  ascertained, 
to  place  a  guard  at  the  door,  and  keep  the  mem- 
bers to  their  post  and  to  their  duty.  My  object  in 
this,  remarked  the  general,  was,  that  then  they 
would  be  able  to  proceed  v/ith  their  business  with- 
out producing  the  slightest  injury :  whatever 
schemes  they  might  entertain  would  have  remained 
with  themselves,  without  the  power  of  circulating 
them  to  the  prejudice  of  any  other  interest  than 
their  own.  I  had  intended  to  have  had  them  well 
treated  and  kindly  dealt  by  ;  and  thus  abstracted 
from  every  thing  passing  without  doors,  a  better 
opportunity  would  have  been  afforded  them  to  enact 
good  and  wholesome  laws  ;  but  Governor  Claiborne 
mistook  my  order,  and  instead  of  shutting  them  in 
doors,  contrary  to  my  wishes  and  expectation, 
turned  them  out. 

149.  Before  this  he  had  been  called  on  by  a 
special  committee  of  the  legislature  to  know  what 
his  course  would  be  should  necessity  compel  him 


128  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

from  his  position.  "  If,"  replied  the  general,  "  I 
thought  the  hair  of  my  head  could  divine  what  I 
should  do  forthwith,  1  would  cut  it  off:  go  back 
with  this  answer  ;  say  to  your  honourable  body,  that 
if  disaster  does  overtake  me,  and  the  fate  of  war 
drives  me  from  my  line  to  the  city,  they  may  expect 
to  have  a  very  warm  session." — "  And  what  did  you 
design  to  do,"  I  inquired,  "  provided  you  had  been 
forced  to  retreat  V — "  1  should,"  he  replied,  "  have 
retreated  to  the  city,  fired  it,  and  fought  the  enemy 
amid  the  surrounding  flames.  There  were  with  me 
men  of  wealth,  owners  of  considerable  property,  who, 
in  such  an  event,  would  have  been  among  the  fore- 
most to  have  applied  the  torch  to  their  own  buildings ; 
and  what  they  had  left  undone  I  should  have  com- 
pleted. Nothing  for  the  comfortable  maintenance 
of  the  enemy  would  have  been  left  in  the  rear.  I 
would  have  destroyed  New-Orleans — occupied  a  po- 
sition above  on  the  river — cut  off  all  supplies,  and  in 
this  way  compelled  them  to  depart  from  the  country." 
150.  We  shall  not  pretend  to  ascribe  this  conduct 
of  the  legislature  to  disaffection,  or  to  treasonable 
motives.  The  impulse  that  produced  it  was,  no 
doubt,  interest — a  principle  of  the  human  mind  which 
strongly  sways,  and  often  destroys  its  best  conclu- 
sions. The  disparity  of  the  two  armies,  in  num- 
bers, preparation,  and  discipline,  had  excited  appre- 
hension, and  destroyed  hope.  If  Jackson  were 
driven  back,  and  little  else  was  looked  for,  rumour 
fixed  his  determination  of  devoting  the  city  to  de- 
struction :  but  even  if  such  w^ere  not  his  intention, 
the  wrath  and  vengeance  of  the  enemy  might  be 
fairly  calculated  to  be  in  proportion  to  the  opposition 
they  should  receive.  Although  these  considerations 
may  somewhat  palliate,  they  do  not  justify.  The 
government  was  represented  in  the  person  of  the 
commanding  general,  on  whom  rested  all  respon- 
sibility, and  whose  voice  on  the  subject  of  re- 
sistance or  capitulation  should   alone  have  beea 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  129 

heard.  In  the  field  were  persons  who  were  enduring 
hardships  and  straining  every  nerve  for  the  general 
safety.  A  few  of  the  members  of  tlieir  own  body, 
too,  were  there,  who  did  not  despond.  Might  not 
patriotism,  then,  have  admonished  these  men,  hon- 
oured as  they  were  with  the  confidence  of  the  people 
rather  to  have  pursued  a  course  having  for  its  object 
to  keep  ahve  excitement,  *han  to  have  endeavoured 
to  introduce  fear  and  paralyze  exertion  1-  Such 
conduct,  if  productive  of  nothing  worse,  was  well 
calculated  to  excite  alarm.  If  the  militia,  who 
had  been  hastily  drawn  to  the  camp,  and  who  were 
yet  trembling  for  the  safety  of  their  families,  had 
been  told  that  a  few  private  men  of  standing  in 
society  had  expressed  their  opinions,  and  declared 
resistance  useless,  it  would  without  doubt  have 
occasioned  serious  apprehensions  ;  but  in  a  much 
greater  degree  would  they  be  calculated  to  arise, 
when  told  that  the  members  of  the  legislature, 
chosen  to  preside  over  the  safety  and  destinies  of 
the  state,  after  due  deliberation,  had  pronounced  all 
attempts  at  successful  opposition  vain  and  ineffec- 
tual. 

151.  Here  was  an  additional  reason  why  expe- 
dients should  be  devised,  and  every  precaution 
adopted,  to  prevent  any  communication  by  which 
the  slightest  intelligence  should  be  had  of  our  situa- 
tion, alreadj"  indeed  sufficiently  deplorable.  Addi- 
tional guards  were  posted  along  the  swamp,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Mississippi,  to  arrest  all  intercourse  ; 
"vvhile  on  the  river,  the  common  highway,  watch 
boats  were  constantly  plying  during  the  night,  in 
different  directions,  so  that  a  log  could  scarcely  float 
down  the  stream  unperceived.  Two  flat-bottomed 
boats,  on  a  dark  night,  were  turned  adrift  above,  to 
ascertain  if  vigilance  were  preserved,  and  whether 
there  would  be  any  possibility  of  escaping  the  guards 
and  passing  in  safety  to  the  British  lines.  The  light 
boats  discovered  them  on  their  passage,  and  on  the 


130  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

alarm  being'  given,  they  were  opened  upon  by  the 
Louisiana  sloop,  and  the  batteries  on  the  shore,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  were  sunk.  In  spite,  however,  of 
every  precaution,  treason  still  discovered  avenues 
through  which  to  project  and  execute  her  nefarious 
plans,  and  through  them  was  constantly  afforded  in- 
formation to  the  enemy  ;  carried  to  them,  no  doubt, 
by  adventurous  friends,  who  sought  and  effected 
their  nightly  passage  through  the  deepest  parts  of 
the  swamp,  where  it  was  impossible  for  sentinels  to 
be  stationed.* 

152.  Great  inconvenience  was  sustained  for  the 
want  of  arms,  and  much  anxiety  felt,  lest  the  enemy, 
through  their  faithful  adherents,  might,  on  this  sub- 
ject, also  obtain  information  ;  to  prevent  it  as  far  as 
possible.  General  Jackson  endeavoured  to  conceal 
the  strength  and  situation  of  his  army,  by  suffering 
his  reports  to  be  seen  by  none  but  himself  and  the 
adjutant-general.  Many  of  the  troops  in  the  field 
were  supplied  with  common  guns,  which  were  of 
little  service.    The  Kentucky  troops,  daily  expected, 

*  Letter  from  Charles  K.  Blanchard  to  Genera]  Jackson. 

New-Orleans,  March  20,  1814 
Sir, — I  have  the  honour,  agreeably  to  your  request,  to  state  to 
your  excellency,  in  writing,  the  substance  of  a  conversation  that 
occurred  between  Quarter-master  Peddie,  of  the  British  army,  and 
myself,  on  the  11  th  inst ,  on  board  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ship  He- 
rald. Quarter-master  Peddie  observed,  that  the  commanding  offi- 
cers of  the  British  forces  were  daily  in  the  receipt  of  every  informa- 
tion from  the  city  of  New-Orleans  which  they  might  require,  in 
aid  of  their  operations,  for  the  completion  of  the  objects  of  the 
expedition ;  that  they  were  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  situation 
of  every  part  of  our  forces,  the  manner  in  which  the  same  was 
situated,  the  number  of  our  fortifications,  their  strength,  position, 
&c.  As  to  the  battery  on  the  left  bank,  of  the  Mississippi,  he 
described  its  situation,  its  distance  from  the  main  post,  and 
promptly  offered  me  a  plan  of  the  works.  He  furthermore 
stated,  that  the  above  information  was  received  from  seven  or 
eight  persons,  in  the  city  of  New-Orleans,  from  whom  he  could, 
at  any  hour,  procure  every  information  necessary  to  promote  hi* 
laajesty's  interest. 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  131 

were  also  understood  to  be  badly  provided  with 
arms.  Uncertain  but  that  the  city  might  yet  contain 
many  articles  that  would  be  serviceable,  orders  were 
issued  to  the  mayor  of  New-Orleans,  directing  him 
diligently  to  inquire  through  every  store  and  house, 
and  take  possession  of  all  the  muskets,  bayonets, 
spades,  and  axes  he  could  find.  Understanding  too 
there  were  many  young  men  who,  from  different 
pretexts,  had  not  appeared  in  the  field,  he  was  in- 
structed to  obtain  a  register  of  every  man  in  the  city 
under  the  age  of  fifty,  that  measures  might  be  con- 
certed for  drawing  forth  those  who  had  hitherto  ap- 
peared backward  in  engaging  in  the  pending  contest. 

153.  Frequent  light  skirmishes  by  advanced  par- 
ties, without  material  effect  on  either  side,  were  the 
only  incidents  that  took  place  for  several  days. 
Colonel  Hinds,  at  the  head,  of  the  Mississippi  dra- 
goons, on  the  30th  December,  was  ordered  to  dis- 
lodge a  party  of  the  enemy  who,  under  cover  of  a 
ditch  that  ran  across  the  plain,  were  annoying 
our  fatigue  parties.  In  his  advance,  he  was  unex- 
pectedly thrown  into  an  ambuscade,  and  became 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  a  line  which  had  hitherto  lain 
concealed  and  unobserved.  His  collected  conduct 
and  gallant  deportment  gained  him  and  his  corps  the 
approbation  of  the  commanding  general,  and  ex- 
tricated him  from  the  danger  in  which  he  was 
placed.  The  enemy,  forced  from  their  position, 
retired,  and  he  returned  to  the  line  with  the  loss  of 
five  of  his  men. 

154.  The  British  were  encamped  two  miles  below 
the  American  army,  on  a  perfect  plain,  and  in  full 
view.  Although  foiled  in  their  attempt  to  carry  our 
works  by  the  force  of  their  batteries  on  the  28th, 
they  yet  resolved  upon  another  attack,  and  one 
which  they  believed  would  be  more  successful. 
Presuming  their  failure  to  have  arisen  from  not 
having  sufficiently  strong  batteries  and  heavy  ord- 
nance, a  more  enlarged  arrangement  was  resorted  to, 


132  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

with  a  confidence  of  silencing  opposition,  and  effect- 
ing such  breaches  in  our  intrenchment  as  would 
enable  their  columns  to  pass,  without  being  exposed 
o  any  considerable  hazard.  The  interim  between 
the  28th  of  December  and  1st  January  was  accord- 
ingly spent  in  preparing  to  execute  their  designs. 
Their  boats  had  been  despatched  to  the  shippings 
and  an  additional  snpply  of  heavy  cannon  landed 
through  Bayou  Bienvenu,  whence  they  had  first 
debarked. 

155.  During  the  night  of  the  31st  December  they 
were  busily  engaged.  An  impenetrable  fog  next 
morning,  which  was  not  dispelled  until  nine  o'clock^ 
by  concealing  their  purpose,  aided  them  in  the  plans 
they  were  projecting,  and  gave  time  for  the  com- 
pletion of  their  works.  This  having  disappeared, 
several  heavy  batteries,  at  the  distance  of  six  hun- 
dred yards,  mounting  eighteen  and  twenty-four 
pound  carronades,  were  presented  to  view.  No 
sooner  was  it  sufficiently  clear  to  distinguish  objects 
at  a  distance,  than  these  were  opened,  and  a  tremen- 
dous burst  of  artillery  commenced,  accompanied 
with  congreve  rockets,  that  filled  the  air  in  all  direc- 
tions. Our  troops,  protected  by  a  defence,  which 
from  their  constant  labours  and  exertions  they 
believed  to  be  impregnable,  unmoved  and  undis- 
turbed, maintained  their  ground,  and  by  their  skilful 
management,  in  the  end  succeeded  in  dismounting 
and  silencing  the  guns  of  the  enemy.  The  British, 
through  the  friendly  interference  of  some  disaf- 
fected citizens,  having  been  apprized  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  general's  quarters,  that  he  dwelt  in  a 
house  at  a  small  distance  in  the  rear  of  his  line  of 
defence,  against  it  directed  their  first  and  principal 
efforts,  with  a  view  to  destroy  the  commander. 
So  great  was  the  number  of  balls  thrown,  that 
in  a  little  while  its  porticos  were  beaten  down, 
and  the  building  made  a  complete  wreck.  In 
this   dishonourable    design    they    were    however 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  133 

disappointed ;  for  with  Jackson  it  was  a  constant 
practice,  on  the  first  appearance  of  danger,  not 
TO  wait  in  his  quarters  watching  events,  but  in- 
stantly to  proceed  to  the  line,  and  be  ready  to 
form  his  arrangements  as  circumstances  might  re- 
quire. Constantly  in  expectation  of  a  charge,  lie 
was  never  absent  from  the  post  of  danger ;  and 
thither  he  had  this  morning  repaired,  at  the  first 
sound  of  the  cannon,  to  aid  in  defence,  and  inspire 
his  troops  with  firmness.  Our  guns  along  the  line 
now  opened  to  repel  the  assault,  and  a  constant  roar 
of  cannon,  on  both  sides,  continued  until  nearly 
noon  ;  when,  by  the  superior  skill  of  our  engineers, 
the  two  batteries  formed  on  the  right,  next  the 
woods,  were  nearly  beaten  down,  and  many  of  the 
guns  dismounted,  broken,  and  rendered  useless. 
That  next  the  river  still  continued  its  fire  until  three 
o'clock  ;  when,  perceiving  all  attempts  to  force  a 
breach  ineff*ectual,  the  enemy  gave  up  the  contest 
and  retired.  Every  act  of  theirs  discovers  a  strange 
delusion,  and  unfolds  on  what  wild  and  fanciful 
grounds  all  their  expectations  were  founded.  That 
the  American  troops  were  well  posted,  and  strongly 
defended  by  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance,  mounted 
along  their  line,  was  a  fact  well  known  ;  yet  a  belief 
•was  confidently  indulged  that  the  undisciplined  col- 
lection which  constituted  the  strength  of  our  army, 
would  be  able  to  derive  little  benefit  from  such  a 
circumstance  ;  and  that  artillery  could  produce  but 
slight  advantages  in  the  hands  of  persons  who  were 
strangers  to  the  manner  of  using  it.  That  many 
who,  from  necessity,  were  called  to  the  direction  of 
the  guns,  were  at  first  entirely  unacquainted  with 
their  management,  is  indeed  true  ;  yet  the  accuracy 
and  precision  with  which  they  threw  their  shot 
afforded  a  convincing  argument  either  that  they  pos- 
sessed the  capacity  of  becoming  in  a  short  time  well 
acquainted  with  the  art  of  gunnery,  or  that  it  was  a 

M 


134  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAF. 

science  the  acquiring  of  which  was  not   attended 
with  incalculable  difficulties. 

156.  That  they  would  be  able  to  effect  an  open' 
ing,  and  march  through  the  strong  defence  in  their 
front,  was  an  idea  so  fondly  cherished  by  our  assail- 
ants, that  an  apprehension  of  failure  had  scarcely 
ever  occurred.  So  sanguine  were  they  in  this  be- 
lief, that  early  in  the  morning  their  soldiers  were 
arranged  along  the  ditches,  in  rear  of  their  batteries, 
prepared  and  ready  to  advance  to  the  charge  the 
moment  a  breach  could  be  made.  Here,  by  their 
situation,  protected  from  danger,  they  remained, 
waiting  the  result  that  should  call  them  to  act.  But 
their  efforts  nat  having  produced  the  slightest 
impression,  nor  their  rockets  the  effect  of  driving 
our  militia  away,  they  abandoned  the  contest,  and 
retired  to  their  camp,  leaving  their  batteries  mate- 
rially injured — nay,  well-nigh  destroyed. 

157.  Perceiving  their  attempts  must  fail,  and  that 
such  an  effect  could  not  be  produced  as  would  war- 
rant their  advance,  another  expedient  was  resorted 
to,  but  with  no  better  success.  It  occurred  to  the 
British  commander  that  an  attack  might  be  made  to 
advantage  next  the  woods,  and  a  force  was  accord- 
ingly ordered  to  penetrate  in  this  direction,  and 
turn  the  left  of  our  line,  which  was  supposed  not  to 
extend  farther  than  to  the  margin  of  the  swamp. 
In  this  way  it  was  expected  a  diversion  could  be 
made,  while  the  reserve  columns,  being  in  readiness 
and  waiting,  were  to  press  forward  the  moment  this 
object  could  be  effected.  Here,  too,  disappointment 
resulted.  Coffee's  brigade,  being  already  extended 
into  the  swamp,  as  far  as  it  was  possible  for  an  ad- 
vancing party  to  penetrate,  brought  unexpected 
dangers  into  view,  and  occasioned  an  abandonment 
of  the  project.  That  to  turn  the  extreme  left  of  the 
line  was  practicable,  and  might  be  attempted,  was 
the  subject  of  early  consideration,  and  necessary 
precaution  had  been  taken  to  prevent  it.     Although 


»•] 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  135 


cuttins:  the  levee  had  raised  the  waters  in  the  swamp, 
and  increased  the  difficulties  of  keeping  troops 
there,  yet  a  fear  lest  this  pass  might  be  sought  by 
the  enemy,  and  the  rear  of  the  hne  thereby  gamed, 
had  determined  the  general  to  extend  his  defence 
even  here.  This  had  been  intrusted  to  General  Cof- 
fee ;  and  surely  a  more  arduous  duty  can  scarcely 
be  imagined.  To  form  a  breastwork  in  such  a  place 
was  attended  with  many  difficulties  and  considerable 
exposure.  A  slight  defence,  however,  had  been 
thrown  up,  and  the  underwood,  for  thirty  or  forty 
yards  in  front,  cut  down,  that  the  riflem^i  stationed 
for  its  protection  might  have  a  complete  view  of  any 
force  which  through  this  route  might  attempt  a  pas- 
sage. When  it  is  recollected  that  this  position  was 
to  be  maintained  night  and  day,  uncertain  of  the  mo- 
ment of  attack,  and  that  the  only  opportunity  afforded 
our  troops  for  rest  was  on  logs  and  brush  thrown 
together,  by  which  they  were  raised  above  the  sur- 
rounding water,  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  seldom 
has  it  fallen  to  the  lot  of  any  to  encounter  greater 
hardships:  but  accustomed  to  privation,  and  alive  to 
those  feelings  which  a  love  of  country  inspires,  they 
obeyed  without  complaining,  and  cheerfully  kept 
their  position  until  all  danger  had  subsided.  Sensi- 
ble of  the  importance  of  the  point  they  defended, 
and  that  it  was  necessary  to  be  maintained,  be  the 
sacrifice  what  it  might,  they  looked  to  nothing  but  a 
zealous  and  faithful  discharge  of  the  trust  confided 
to  them. 

158.  Onr  loss  in  this  affair  w^as  eleven  killed  and 
twenty-three  wounded;  that  of  the  enemy  was 
never  correctly  known.  The  only  certain  informa- 
tion is  contained  in  a  communication  of  the  28th 
January,  from  General  Lambert  to  Earl  Bathurst,  in 
which  the  casualties  and  losses,  from  the  1st  to  the 
5th,  are  stated  at  seventy-eight.  Many  allowances, 
however,  are  to  be  made  for  this  report.  It  was 
written  at  a  time  when,  from  the  numerous  dis* 


136  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

asters  encountered,  it  was  not  to  be  presumed  the 
general's  mind  was  in  a  situation  patiently  to  re- 
member or  minutely  to  detail  the  facts.  From  the 
great  precision  of  our  fire,  and  the  injury  visibly  sus- 
tained by  their  batteries,  their  loss  was  no  doubt 
considerable.  The  enemy's  heavy  shot  having  pene- 
trated our  intrenchment  in  many  places,  it  was  dis- 
covered not  to  be  as  strong  as  had  at  first  been  im- 
agined. Fatigue  parties  were  again  employed,  and 
its  strength  daily  increased:  an  additional  number 
of  bales  of  cotton  were  taken  to  be  applied  to 
strengthenftg  and  defending  the  embrasures  along 
the  line.  A  Frenchman,  whose  property  had  been 
thus,  without  his  consent,  seized,  fearful  of  the  in- 
jury it  might  sustain,  proceeded  in  person  to  Gene- 
ral Jackson  l^o  reclaim  it,  and  to  demand  its  delivery. 
The  general,  havmg  heard  his  complaint,  and  ascer- 
tained from  him  that  he  was  unemployed  in  any 
military  service,  directed  a  musket  to  be  brought  to 
hiiij,  and  placing  it  in  his  hand,  ordered  him  on  the 
line,  remarking,  at  the  same  time,  that  as  he  seemed 
to  be  a  man  possessed  of  property,  he  knew  of  none 
who  had  a  better  right  to  fight  and  to  defend  it. 

159.  The  British  had  again  retired  to  their  en- 
campment. It  was  well  understood  by  Jackson  that 
they  were  in  daily  expectation  of  considerable  rein- 
forcements ;  though  he  rested  with  confidence  in  the 
belief  that  a  few  more  days  would  also  bring  to  his 
assistance  the  troops  from  Kentucky.  Each  party, 
therefore,  was  busily  and  constantly  engaged  in 
preparation,  the  one  to  wage  a  vigorous  attack,  the 
other  bravely  to  defend,  and  resolutely  to  op- 
pose it. 

160.  The  position  of  the  American  army  was  in 
the  rear  of  an  intrenchment  formed  of  earth,  and 
which  extended  in  a  straight  line  from  the  river  to  a 
considerable  distance  in  the  swamp.  In  front  was 
a  deep  ditch,  which  had  been  formerly  used  as  a 
mill-race.     The  Mississippi  had  receded  and  left  this 


»•] 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  137 


dry  next  the  river,  though  in  many  places  the  water 
still  remained.  Along  the  line,  and  at  unequal  dis- 
tances, to  the  centre  of  General  Carroll's  command, 
were  guns  mounted,  of  different  caliber,  from  six  to 
thirty-two  pounders.  Near  the  river,  and  in  advance 
of  the  intrenchment,  was  erected  a  redoubt,  with 
embrasures,  commanding  the  road  along  the  levee, 
and  calculated  to  rake  the  ditch  in  front. 

161.  We  have  heretofore  stated,  that  General 
Morgan  was  ordered,  on  the  24th  of  December,  to 
cross  to  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi.  From  an 
apprehension  entertained  that  an  attempt  might  be 
made  through  Barataria,  and  the  city  reached  from 
the  right  bank  of  the  river,  the  general  had  extended 
his  defence  there  likewise  :  in  fact,  unacquainted 
with  the  enemy's  views, — not  knowing  the  nvmiber 
of  their  troops,  nor  but  that  they  might  have  suffi- 
cient strength  to  wage  an  attack  in  various  direc- 
tions, and  anxiously  solicitous  to  be  prepared  at  aU 
points,  he  had  carefully  divided  out  his  forces,  that 
he  might  guard  and  be  able  to  protect,  in  whatever 
direction  an  assault  should  be  waged.  His  greatest 
fears,  and  hence  his  strongest  defence  next  to  the 
one  occupied  by  himself,  was  on  the  Chef  Menteur 
road,  where  Governor  Claiborn-e,  at  the  head  of 
the  Louisiana  militia,  was  posted.  The  position 
on  the  right  was  formed  on  the  same  plan  with  the 
line  on  the  left, — lower  down  than  that  on  the  left, 
and  exte^iding  to  the  swamp  at  right  angles  to  the 
river.     Hei?e  General  Morgan  commanded. 

162.  To  be  prepared  against  every  possible  con- 
tingency that  might  arise,  Jackson  had  established 
another  line  of  defence,  about  two  miles  in  the  rear 
of  the  one  at  present  occupied,  which  was  intended 
as  a  rallying-point  if  he  should  be  driven  from 
bis  first  position.  With  the  aid  of  his  cavalry,  to 
give  a  momentary  check  to  the  advance  of  the  en- 
emy, he  expected  to  be  enabled,  with  inconsiderable 

M2 


138  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

injury,  to  reach  it ;  where  he  would  again  have  ad- 
vantages on  his  side,  be  in  a  situation  to  dispute  a 
further  passage  to  the  city,  and  arrest  their  progress. 
To  inspirit  his  own  soldiers,  and  to  exhibit  to  the 
enemy  as  great  a  show  as  possible  of  strength  and 
intended  resistance,  his  unarmed  troops,  which  con- 
stituted no  very  inconsiderable  number,  were  here 
stationed.  All  intercourse  between  the  lines,  except 
by  confidential  officers,  was  prohibited,  and  every 
precaution  and  vigilance  employed  not  only  to  keep 
this  want  of  preparation  concealed  from  the  enemy, 
but  even  from  being  known  on  his  own  lines. 

163.  Occasional  firing  at  a  distance,  which  pro- 
duced nothing  of  consequence,  was  all  that  marked 
the  interim  from  the  1st  to  the  8th  of  January. 

164.  On  the  4th  of  this  month,  the  long-expected 
reinforcement  from  Kentucky,  amounting  to  twenty- 
two  hundred  and  fifty,  under  the  command  of  Ma- 
jor-general Thomas,  arrived  at  head-quarters;  but 
so  ill  provided  with  arms  as  to  be  incapable  of  ren- 
derhig  any  considerable  service.  The  alacrity  with 
which  the  citizens  of  this  state  had  proceeded  to 
the  frontiers,  and  aided  in  the  north-western  cam- 
paigns, added  to  the  disasters  which  ill-timed  policy 
or  misfortune  had  produced,  had  created  such  a 
drain,  that  arms  were  not  to  be  procured.  They 
had  advanced,  however,  to  their  point  of  destina- 
tion, with  an  expectation  of  being  supplied  on  their 
arrival.  About  five  hundred  of  them  had  muskets  ; 
the  rest  were  provided  with  guns,  from  which  little 
or  no  advantage  could  be  expected.  The  mayor  of 
New-Orleans,  at  the  request  of  General  Jackson, 
had  already  examined  and  drawn  from  the  city 
every  weapon  that  could  be  found ;  while  the  ar- 
rival of  the  Louisiana  militia,  in  an  equally  unpre- 
pared situation,  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  evil 
to  be  effectually  remedied.  A  boat  laden  with  arms 
was  somewhere  on  the  river,  intended  for  the  use 
and  defence  of  the  lower  country ;   but  where  it 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  139 

was,  or  when  it  might  arrive,  rested  alone  on  hope 
and  conjecture.  Expresses  had  been  despatched 
up  the  river,  for  three  hundred  miles,  to  seek  and 
hasten  it  on  ;  still  there  were  no  tidings  of  an  ap- 
proach. That  so  many  brave  men,  at  a  moment  of 
such  anxious  peril,  should  be  compelled  to  stand 
with  folded  arms,  unable,  from  their  situation,  to 
render  the  least  possible  service  to  their  country, 
was  an  event  greatly  to  be  deplored,  and  did  not  fail 
to  excite  the  feelings  and  sensibility  of  the  com- 
manding general.  His  mind  active,  and  prepared 
for  any  thing  but  despondency,  sought  relief  in 
vain ; — there  was  none.  No  alternative  was  pre- 
sented but  to  place  them  at  his  intrenchment  in  the 
rear,  conceal  their  actual  condition,  and,  by  the  show 
they  might  make,  add  to  his  appearance  and  num- 
bers, without  at  all  increasing  his  strength. 

165.  Information  was  now  received  that  Major- 
general  Lambert  had  joined  the  British  commander- 
in-chief  with  a  considerable  reinforcement.  It  had 
been  heretofore  announced  in  the  American  camp 
that  additional  forces  were  expected,  and  something 
decisive  might  be  looked  for  as  soon  as  they  should 
arrive.  This  circumstance,  in  connexion  with 
others  no  less  favouring  the  idea,  had  led  to  the 
conclusion  that  a  few  days  more  would,  in  all  pro- 
bability, bring  on  the  struggle  which  would  decide 
the  fate  of  the  city.  It  was  more  than  ever  ne- 
cessary to  keep  concealed  the  situation  of  his 
army ;  and,  above  all,  to  preserve  as  secret  as  pos- 
sible its  unarmed  condition.  To  restrict  all  com- 
munication even  with  his  own  lines,  was  now, 
as  danger  increased,  rendered  more  important. 
None  were  permitted  to  leave  the  line,  and  none 
from  without  to  pass  into  his  camp,  but  such  as 
were  to  be  implicitly  confided  in.  The  line  of  sen- 
tinels were  strengthened  in  front,  that  none  might 
pass  to  the  enemy,  should  desertion  be  attempted  : 
yet,  notwithstanding  this  precaution  and  care,  his 


i40  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

plans  ai"id  situation  were  disclosed.  On  the  night 
of  the  6th  January,  a  soldier  from  the  line  by  some 
means  sacceeded  in  eluding-  the  vigilance  of  our 
sentinels.  Early  next  morning  his  departure  was 
discovered :  it  was  at  once  correctly  conjectured 
he  had  gone  over  to  the  enemy,  and  would,  no 
doubt,  afford  them  all  the  information  in  his  power 
to  communicate.  This  opinion,  as  subsequent  cir- 
cumstances disclosed,  was  well  founded ;  and 
dearly  did  he  atone  his  crime.  He  unfolded  to  the 
British  the  situation  of  the  American  Une,  the 
late  reinforcements  we  had  received,  and  the  un- 
armed condition  of  many  of  the  troops  ;  and  point- 
ing to  the  centre  of  General  Carroll's  division,  as  a 
place  occupied  by  militia  alone,  recommended  it  as 
the  point  where  an  attack  might  be  most  prudently 
and  safely  »iade. 

166.  Other  intelligence  received  was  confirma- 
tory of  the  belief  of  an  impending  attack.  From 
some  prisoners,  taken  on  the  lake,  it  was  ascertained 
the  enemy  were  busily  engaged  in  deepening  Vil- 
lery's  canal,  with  a  view  of  passing  their  boats  and 
ordnance  to  the  Mississippi.  During  the  7th,  a  con- 
stant bustle  was  perceived  in  the  British  camp. 
Along  the  borders  of  the  canal  their  soldiers  were 
continually  in  motion,  marching  and  manoBuvring, 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  conceal  those  who  were 
busily  engaged  at  work  in  the  rear.  To  ascertain  the 
cause  of  this  uncommon  stir,  and  learn  their  designs 
as  far  as  was  practicable,  Commodore  Patterson 
had  proceeded  down  the  river,  on  the  opposite  side, 
and  having  gained  a  favourable  position  in  front  of 
their  encampment,  discovered  them  to  be  actually 
engaged  in  deepening  the  passage  to  the  river.  It 
was  no  difficult  matter  to  divine  their  purpose.  No 
other  conjecture  could  be  entertained,  thnn  that  an 
assault  was  intended  to  be  made  on  the  line  of  de- 
fence conimaaded  by  General  Morgan  ;  which,  if 
gained,  would  expose  our  troo/Ds  on  the  left  bank  to 


T.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  141 

the  fire  of  the  redoubt  erected  on  the  right ;  and  in 
this  way  compel  them  to  an  abandonment  of  their 
position.  To  counteract  this  scheme  was  im- 
portant ;  and  measures  were  immediately  taken  to 
prevent  the  execution  of  apian,  which,  if  successful, 
would  t»e  attended  with  incalculable  dangers.  An 
increased  strength  was  given  to  this  line.  The 
second  regiment  of  Louisiana  militia,  and  four  hun- 
dred Kentucky  troops,  were  directed  to  be  crossed 
over,  to  reinforce  and  protect  it.  Owing  to  some 
delay  and  difficulty  in  arming  them,  the  latter 
amounting,  instead  of  four  hundred,  to  but  one 
hundred  and  eighty,  did  not  arrive  until  the  morning 
of  the  8th.  A  little  before  day  they  were  des- 
patched to  aid  an  advanced  party,  who,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Arnaut,  had  been  sent  to  watch 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  oppose  their 
landing.  The  hopes  indulged  from  their  opposition 
were  not  realized ;  and  the  enemy,  unmolested, 
reached  the  shore. 

167.  Morgan's  position,  besides  being  strengthened 
by  several  brass  twelves,  was  defended  by  a  strong 
battery,  mounting  twenty-four  pounders,  directed 
by  Commodore  Patterson,  which  afforded  additional 
strength  and  security.  The  line  itself  was  not 
strong ;  yet,  if  properly  maintained  by  the  troops 
selected  to  defend  it,  was  believed  fully  adequate 
to  the  purpose  of  successful  resistance.  Late  at 
night  Patterson  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had 
succeeded  in  passing  their  boats  through  the  canal, 
and  immediately  communicated  his  information  to 
the  general.  The  commodore  had  already  formed 
the  idea  of  dropping  the  Louisiana  schooner  down, 
to  attack  and  sink  them.  This  thought,  though  well 
conceived,  was  abandoned,  from  the  danger  in- 
volved, and  from  an  apprehension  lest  the  batteries 
erected  on  the  river,  with  which  she  would  come 
in  collision,  might,  by  the  aid  of  hot  shot,  succeed 
in  blowing  her  up.     It  was  preferred  patiently  to 


142  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

await  their  arrival,  believino-  it  would  be  practicable, 
with  the  bravery  of  more  than  fifteen  hundred  men, 
and  the  slender  advantages  possessed  from  their 
line  of  defence,  to  maintain  their  position,  and  repel 
the  assailants. 

168.  On  the  left  bank,  where  the  general  in  per- 
son commanded,  every  thing  was  in  readiness  to 
meet  the  assault  when  it  should  be  made.  The  re- 
doubt on  the  levee  was  defended  by  a  company  of 
the  seventh  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Ross.  The  regular  troops  occupied  that 
part  of  the  intrenchment  next  the  river.  General 
Carroll's  division  was  in  the  centre,  supported  by 
the  Kentucky  troops,  under  General  John  Adair ; 
while  the  extreme  left,  extending  for  a  considerable 
distance  ii\to  the  swamp,  was  protected  by  the 
brigade  of  General  Coftee.  How  soon  the  attack 
should  be  waged  was  uncertain  ;  at  what  moment 
rested  with  the  enemy, — with  us,  to  be  in  readiness 
for  resistance.  There  were  many  circumstances, 
however,  favouring  the  belief  that  the  hour  of  con- 
test was  not  far  distant,  and  indeed  fast  approach- 
ing ;  the  bustle  of  to-day, — the  efforts  to  carry  their 
boats  into  the  river, — the  fascines  and  scaling-lad- 
ders that  were  preparing,  were  circumstances  point- 
ing to  attack,  and  indicating  the  hour  to  be  near  at 
hand.  General  Jackson,  unmoved  by  appearances, 
anxiously  desired  a  contest,  which  he  believed 
would  give  a  triumph  to  his  arms,  and  terminate  the 
hardships  of  his  suffering  soldiers.  Unremitting  in 
exertion,  and  constantly  vigilant,  his  precaution 
kept  pace  with  the  zeal  and  preparation  of  the 
enemy.  He  seldom  slept :  he  was  always  at  his 
post,  performing  the  duties  of  both  general  and 
soldier.  His  sentinels  were  doubled,  and  extended 
as  far  as  possible  in  the  direction  of  the  British 
camp ;  while  a  considerable  portion  of  the  troops 
were  constantly  at  the  line,   with  arms  in  their 


T*]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  143 

hands,  ready  to  act  when  the  first  alarm  should  be 
given. 

169.  For  eight  days  had  the  two  armies  lain  upon 
the  same  field,  and  in  view  of  each  other,  without 
any  thing  decisive  being  on  either  side  effected. 
Twice  since  their  landing  had  the  British  columns 
essayed  to  effect  by  storm  the  execution  of  their 
plans,  and  twice  had  failed — been  compelled  to  re- 
linquish the  attempt,  and  retire  from  the  contest. 
It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  things  could  long  re- 
main in  this  dubious  state.  Soldiers,  the  pride  of 
England, — the  boasted  conquerors  of  Europe,  were 
there ;  distinguished  generals  their  leaders,  who 
earnestly  desired  to  announce  to  their  country  and 
the  world  their  signal  achievements.  The  high 
expectations  which  had  been  indulged  of  the 
success  of  this  expedition  were  to  be  realized  at 
every  peril,  or  disgrace  would  follow  the  failure. 

170.  The  8th  of  January  at  length  arrived.  The 
day  dawned  ;  and  the  signals  intended  to  produce 
concert  in  the  enemy's  movements  were  descried. 
On  the  left,  near  the  swamp,  a  skyrocket  was  per- 
ceived rising  in  the  air  ;  and  presently  another  as- 
cended from  the  right,  next  the  river.  They  were 
intended  to  announce  that  all  was  prepared  and 
ready,  to  proceed  and  carry  by  storm  a  defence 
which  had  twice  foiled  their  utmost  efforts.  In- 
stantly the  charge  was  made,  and  v/ith  such  rapidity, 
that  our  soldiers  at  the  outposts  with  difficulty 
fled  in. 

171.  The  British  batteries,  which  had  been  de- 
molished on  the  1st  of  the  month,  had  been  re- 
established during  the  preceding  night,  and  heavy 
pieces  of  cannon  mounted,  to  aid  in  their  intended 
operations.  These  now  opened,  and  showers  of 
bombs  and  balls  were  poured  upon  our  line ;  while 
the  air  was  lighted  with  their  eongreve  rockets. 
The  two  divisions,  commanded  by  Sir  Edward  Pack- 
enham  in  person,  and  supported  by  Generals  Keane 


144  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

and  Gibbs,  pressed  forward ;  the  right  against  the  cen- 
tre of  General  CarrolPs  command,  the  left  against 
our  redoubt  on  the  levee.  A  thick  fog  that  obscured 
the  morning  enabled  them  to  approach  within  a 
short  distance  of  our  intrenchment  before  they 
were  discovered.  They  were  now  perceived  ad- 
vancing with  firm,  quick,  and  steady  pace,  in  column, 
with  a  front  of  sixty  or  seventy  deep.  Our  troops, 
who  had  for  some  time  been  in  readiness,  and  wait- 
ing their  appearance,  gave  three  cheers,  and  in- 
stanly  the  whole  line  was  lighted  with  the  blaze  of 
their  fire.  A  burst  of  artillery  and  small  arms, 
pouring  with  destructive  aim  upon  them,  mowed 
down  their  front,  and  arrested  their  advance.  In 
our  musketry  there  was  not  a  moment's  intermis- 
sion :  as  ojie  party  discharged  their  pieces,  another 
succeeded;  alternately  loading  and  appearing,  no 
pause  could  be  perceived — it  was  one  continued 
volley.  The  columns  already  perceived  their  dan- 
gerous and  exposed  situation.  Battery  No.  7,  on 
the  left,  was  ably  served  by  Lieutenant  Spotts,  and 
galled  them  with  an  incessant  and  destructive  fire. 
Batteries  No.  6  and  8  were  no  less  actively  em- 
ployed, and  no  less  successful  in  felling  them  to 
the  ground.  Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  our 
fire,  which  few  troops  could  for  a  moment  have 
withstood,  some  of  those  brave  men  pressed  on, 
and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  ditch  in  front  of  our 
works,  where  they  remained  during  the  action,  and 
were  afterward  made  prisoners.  The  horror  be- 
fore them  was  too  great  to  be  withstood ;  and  al- 
ready were  the  British  troops  seen  wavering  in 
their  determination,  and  receding  from  the  conflict. 
At  this  moment,  Sir  Edward  Packenham,  hastening 
to  the  front,  endeavoured  to  encourage  and  inspire 
them  with  renewed  zeal.  ,  His  example  was  of 
sliort  continuance  :  he  soon  fell  mortally  wounded 
in  the  arms  of  his  aid-de-camp,  not  far  from  our 
line.     Generals  Gibbs  and  Keane  also  fell,  and  were 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  145 

borne  from  the  field  dangerously  wounded.  At  this 
moment,  General  Lambert,  who  was  advancing  at  a 
small  distance  in  the  rear,  with  the  reserve,  met  the 
columns  precipitately  retreating,  and  in  great  con- 
fusiorf.  His  efforts  to  stop  them  were  unavailing, 
they  continued  retreating,  until  they  reached  a 
ditch  at  the  distance  of  four  hundred  yards,  where 
a  momentary  safety  being  found,  they  were  rallied 
and  halted. 

172.  The  field  before  them,  over  which  they  had 
advanced,  was  strewed  with  the  dead  and  dying. 
Danger  hovered  still  around ;  yet  urged  and  encou- 
raged by  their  officers,  who  feared  their  own  dis- 
grace involved  in  the  failure,  they  again  moved  to 
the  charge.  They  were  already  near  enough  to  de- 
ploy, and  were  endeavouring  to  do  so  ;  but  the  same 
constant  and  unremitted  resistance  that  caused  their 
first  retreat,  continued  yet  unabated.  Our  batteries 
had  never  ceased  their  fire  ;  their  constant  dis- 
charges of  grape  and  canister,  and  the  fatal  aim  of 
our  musketry,  mowed  down  the  front  of  the  columns 
as  fast  as  they  could  be  formed.  Satisfied  nothing 
could  be  done,  and  that  certain  destruction  awaited 
all  further  attempts,  they  forsook  the  contest  and 
the  field  in  disorder,  leaving  it  almost  entirely  covered 
with  the  dead  and  wounded.  It  was  in  vain  their 
officers  endeavoured  to  animate  them  to  further  re- 
sistance, and  equally  vain  to  attempt  coercion.  The 
panic  produced  from  the  dreadful  repulse  they  had 
experienced,  the  plain  on  which  they  had  acted  being 
covered  with  innumerable  bodies  of  their  country- 
men, while  with  their  most  zealous  exertions  they 
had  been  unable  to  obtain  the  slightest  advantage, 
were  circumstances  well  calculated  to  make  even 
the  most  submissive  soldier  oppose  the  authority 
that  would  have  controlled  him. 

173.  The  light  companies  of  fusileers,  the  forty- 
third  and  ninety-third  regiments,  and  one  hundred 
men  from  the  West  India  regiment,  led  on  by  Colo- 

N 


146  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

nel  Rennie,  \vere  ordered  to  proceed  under  cover 
of  some  chimneys  standing  in  the  field,  until  having 
cleared  them,  to  oblique  to  the  river,  and  advance, 
protected  by  the  levee  against  our  redoubt  on  the 
right.  This  work,  having  been  but  lately  com- 
menced, was  in  an  unfinished  state.  It  was  not 
until  the  4th  that  General  Jackson,  much  against 
his  own  opinion,  had  yielded  to  the  suggestions  of 
others,  and  permitted  its  projection  ;  and,  consider- 
ing the  plan  on  which  it  had  been  sketched,  had  not 
yet  received  that  strength  necessary  to  its  safe 
defence.  The  detachment  ordered  against  this 
place  formed  the  left  of  General  Keane's  command. 
Rennie  executed  his  orders  with  great  bravery,  and 
urging  forward,  arrived  at  the  ditch.  His  advance 
was  greatly  annoyed  by  Commodore  Patterson's 
battery  on  the  left  bank,  and  the  cannon  mounted  on 
the  redoubt ;  but  reaching  our  works  and  passing 
the  ditch,  Rennie,  sword  in  hand,  leaped  on  the  wall, 
and  calUng  to  his  troops,  bade  them  follow  ;  he  had 
scarcely  spoken,  when  he  fell  by  the  fatal  aim  of 
our  riflemen.  Pressed  by  the  impetuosity  of  the 
superior  numbers  who  were  mounting  the  wall  and 
entering  at  the  embrasures,  our  troops  had  retired 
to  the  line,  in  rear  of  the  redoubt.  A  momentary 
pause  ensued,  but  only  to  be  interrupted  with  in- 
creased horrors.  Captain  Beal,  with  the  city  rifle- 
men, cool  and  self-possessed,  perceiving  the  enemy 
in  his  front,  opened  upon  them,  and  at  every  dis- 
charge brought  the  object  to  the  ground.  To  ad- 
vance, or  maintain  the  point  gained,  was  equally 
impracticable  for  the  enemy  :  to  retreat  or  surrender 
was  the  only  alternative  :  for  they  already  perceived 
the  division  on  the  right  thrown  into  confusion,  and 
hastily  leaving  the  field. 

174.  General  Jackson,  being  informed  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enemy  on  the  right,  and  of  their  being  in 
possession  of  the  redoubt,  pressed  forward  a  rein- 
forcement to  regain  it.     Previously  to  its  arrival, 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  147 

they  had  abandoned  the  attempt  and  were  retiring. 
They  were  severely  galled  by  such  of  our  guns  as 
could  be  brought  to  bear.  The  levee  afforded  them 
considerable  protection  ;  yet,  by  Commodore  Patter- 
son's redoubt  on  the  right  bank,  they  sujfifered  greatly. 
Enfiladed  by  this  on  their  advance,  they  had  been 
greatly  annoyed,  and  now  in  their  retreat  were  no 
less  severely  assailed.  Numbers  found  a  grave  in 
the  ditch  before  our  line ;  and  of  those  who  gained 
the  redoubt,  not  one  it  is  believed  escaped  ;  they 
were  shot  down  as  fast  as  they  entered.  The  route 
along  which  they  had  advanced  and  retired  was 
strewed  with  bodies.  Affrighted  at  the  carnage, 
they  moved  from  the  scene  hastily  and  in  confusion. 
Our  batteries  were  still  continuing  the  slaughter, 
and  cutting  them  down  at  every  step  ;  safety  seemed 
only  to  be  attainable  when  they  should  have  retired 
without  the  range  of  our  shot ;  which,  to  troops 
galled  as  severely  as  they  were,  was  too  remote  a 
relief.  Pressed  by  this  consideration  they  fled  to 
the  ditch,  whither  the  right  division  had  retreated, 
and  there  remained  until  night  permitted  them  to 
retire. 

175.  The  loss  of  the  British  in  the  main  attack  on 
the  left  bank  has  been  at  different  times  variously 
stated.  The  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  ascer- 
tained on  the  next  day  after  the  battle  by  Colonel 
Hayne,  the  inspector-general,  places  it  at  twenty- 
six  hundred.  General  Lambert's  report  to  Lord 
Bathurst  makes  it  but  two  thousand  and  seventy. 
From  prisoners,  however,  and  information  and  cir- 
cumstances derived  through  other  sources,  it  must 
have  been  even  greater  than  is  stated  by  either. 
Among  them  was  the  commander-in-chief,  and  Ma- 
jor-general Gibbs,  who  died  of  his  wounds  the  next 
day,  besides  many  of  their  most  valuable  and  distin- 
guished officers  ;  while  the  loss  of  the  Americans  in 
killed  and  wounded  was  but  thirteen.  Our  effective 
force  at  the  line  on  the  left  bank  was  three  thousand 


148  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

seven  hundred  ;  lliat  of  the  enemy  at  least  nine  thou- 
sand. The  force  landed  in  Louisiana  has  been  vari- 
ously reported  ;  the  best  information  places  it  at 
about  fourteen  thousand.  A  part  of  this  acted  with 
Colonel  Thornton  ;  the  climate  had  rendered  many 
unfit  for  the  duties  of  the  field  ;  while  a  considerable 
number  had  been  killed  and  wounded  in  the  different 
contests  since  their  arrival.  Their  strength,  there- 
fore, may  be  fairly  estimated,  on  the  8th,  at  the 
number  we  have  stated  ;  at  any  rate,  not  less. 

176.  That  this  was  considered  an  undertaking  of 
greater  magnitude  and  hazard  than  they  were  dis- 
posed openly  to  admit,  is  obvious,  from  one  circum- 
stance. The  officer  who  leads  his  troops  on  a  for- 
lorn attempt,  not  unfrequently  places  before  them 
allurements  stronger  than  either  authority  or  duty. 
On  the  present  occasion,  this  resort  was  not  omitted; 
and  inducements  were  held  out,  than  which  nothing 
more  inviting  could  be  offered  to  an  infuriated  sol- 
diery. Let  it  be  remembered  of  that  gallant  but 
misguided  general,  who  has  been  so  much  deplored 
by  the  British  nation,  that  to  the  cupidity  of  his  sol- 
diers he  promised  the  wealth  of  the  city,  as  a  recom- 
pense for  their  gallantry  and  desperation;  while, 
with  brutal  licentiousness,  they  were  to  revel  in  law- 
less indulgence,  and  triumph  uncontrolled  over 
female  innocence.  Scenes  like  these  our  nation, 
dishonoured  and  insulted,  had  already  witnessed; 
she  had  witnessed  them  at  Hampton  and  Havre-de- 
Grace  ;  but  it  was  reserved  for  her  yet  to  learn,  that 
an  officer  of  the  character  and  standing  of  Sir  Ed- 
ward Packenham,  polished,  generous,  and  brave, 
should,  to  induce  his  soldiers  to  acts  of  daring  valour, 
permit  them,  as  a  reward,  to  insult,  injure,  and  de- 
base those  whom  all  mankind,  even  savages,  rever- 
ence and  respect.  The  history  of  Europe,  since 
civilized  warfare  began,  is  challenged  to  afford  an 
instance  of  such  gross  depravity,  such  wanton  out- 
rage on  the  morals  and  dignity  of  society.     English 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  149 

writers  may  deny  the  correctness  of  the  charge  :  it 
certainly  interests  them  to  do  so  :  but  its  authen- 
ticity is  too  well  established  to  admit  of  doubt,  while 
its  criminality  is  increased,  from  being-  the  act  of  a 
people  who  hold  themselves  up  to  surrounding  na- 
tions as  examples  of  every  thing  that  is  correct  and 
proper.  The  facts  and  circumstances  which  were 
presented  at  the  time  of  this  transaction  left  no 
doubt  on  the  minds  of  our  officers,  but  that  "  Beauty 
and  Booty'"'  was  the  watchword  of  the  day.  The 
information  was  obtained  from  prisoners,  and  con- 
firmed by  the  books  of  two  of  their  orderly-ser- 
geants taken  in  battle,  which  contained  record  proof 
of  the  fact. 

177.  The  events  of  this  day  afford  abundant  evi- 
dence of  the  liberality  of  the  American  soldiers, 
and  show  a  striking  difference  in  the  troops  of  the 
two  nations.  While  one  were  allured  to  acts  of 
bravery  and  duty  by  the  promised  pillage  and  plun- 
der of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  commission  of  crimes 
abhorrent  in  the  sight  of  earth  and  heaven,  the  ether 
fought  but  for  his  country,  and  having  repelled  her 
assailants,  instantly  forgot  all  enmity,  viewed  his 
fallen  foe  as  a  brother,  and  hastened  to  assist  him 
even  at  the  hazard  of  his  own  life.  The  gallantry 
of  the  British  soldiers,  and  no  people  could  have 
displayed  greater,  had  brought  many  of  them  even 
to  our  ramparts,  where,  shot  down  by  our  troops, 
they  were  lying  badly  wounded.  When  the  firing 
had  ceased  and  the  columns  had  retired,  our  troops, 
with  generous  benevolence,  advanced  over  their  lines 
to  assist  and  bring  in  the  wounded  which  lay  under 
and  near  the  walls;  when,  strange  to  tell,  the  en- 
emy from  the  ditch  they  occupied  opened  a  fire  upon 
them,  and  though  at  a  considerable  distance,  suc- 
ceeded in  wounding  several.  It  was  enough  for 
our  generous  soldiers  that  they  were  doing  an  act 
which  the  benevolence  of  their  hearts  approved,  and 
with  charitable  perseverance  they  continued  to  ad- 

N2 


S50  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

minister  to  the  wants  of  these  suffering  men,  and 
to  carry  them  within  their  lines,  although  in  their 
efforts  they  were  continually  exposed  to  danger. 
Let  the  apologist  for  crime  say  wJierefore  were  acts 
thus  unpardonable  committed  against  men  who  were 
administering  to  the  wants  and  relieving  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  dying  countrymen  of  those  who  thus  re- 
paid the  most  laudable  humanity  with  wanton  and 
useless  cruelty. 

178.  A  communication,  shortly  after,  from  Major- 
general  Lambert,  on  whom,  in  consequence  of  the 
fall  of  Generals  Packenham,  Gibbs,  and  Keane,  the 
command  had  devolved,  acknowledges  to  have  wit^ 
nessed  the  kindness  of  our  troops  to  his  wounded. 
He  solicited  of  General  Jackson  permission  to  send 
an  unarmed  party  to  bury  the  dead  lying  before  his 
lines,  and  to'bring  off  such  of  the  wounded  as  were 
dangerous.  Though,  in  all  probability,  it  was  un- 
known to  General  Lambert  what  had  been  the  con- 
duct of  his  troops  on  this  occasion,  and  unquestion- 
ably not  authorized  b}'  him,  yet  Jackson,  in  answer 
to  his  despatch,  did  not  omit  to  britig  it  to  his  view, 
and  to  express  his  utter  abhorrence  of  the  act.  The 
request  to  bury  the  dead  was  granted.  General 
Jackson,  though,  refused  to  permit  a  near  approach 
to  his  line,  but  consented  that  the  wounded  who  were 
at  a  greater  distance  than  three  hundred  yards  from 
the  intrenchment  should  be  relieved,  and  the  dead 
buried :  those  nearer,  were  by  his  own  men  to  be 
delivered  over,  to  be  interred  by  their  country- 
men. This  precaution  was  taken,  that  the  enemy 
might  not  have  an  opportunity  to  inspect,  or  know 
any  thing  of  his  situation, 

179.  General  Lambert,  desirous  of  administering 
to  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  and  that  lie  might  be 
relieved  from  his  apprehensions  of  attack,  proposed, 
about  noon,  that  hostilities  should  cease  until  the 
same  hour  the  next  day.  General  Jackson,  cherish- 
ing the  hope  of  being  able  to  secure  an  important 


r.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  151 

advantage  by  his  apparent  willingness  to  accede  to 
the  proposal,  drew  up  an  armistice,  and  forwarded 
it  to  General  Lambert,  with  directions  for  it  to  be 
immediately  retnrned  if  approved.  It  contained  a 
stipulation  to  tliis  effect : — that  hostilities  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  river  should  be  discontinued  from  its 
ratification,  but  on  the  right  bank  they  should  not 
cease ;  and,  in  the  interim,  that  under  no  circum- 
stances were  reinforcements  to  be  sent  across  by 
either  party.  This  was  a  bold  stroke  at  stratagem  ; 
and  although  it  succeeded  even  to  the  extent  desired, 
was  yet  attended  with  considerable  hazard.  Rein- 
forcements had  been  ordered  over  to  retake  the  po- 
sition lost  by  Morgan  in  the  morning,  and  the  gene- 
ral presumed  they  had  arrived  at  their  point  of  des- 
tination, but  at  this  time  they  had  not  passed  the 
river,  nor  could  it  be  expected  to  be  retaken  with 
the  same  troops  who  had  yielded  it  the  day  before, 
when  possessed  of  advantages  which  gave  them  a  de- 
cided superiority  ;  this  the  commanding  general  well 
knew  ;  yet,  to  spare  the  sacrifice  of  his  men,  which 
in  regaining  it  he  foresaw  must  be  considerable,  he 
was  disposed  to  venture  upon  a  course  which,  he 
felt  assured,  could  not  fail  to  succeed.  It  was  im- 
possible his  object  could  be  discovered  ;  v.'hile  he 
confidently  believed  the  British  commander  would 
infer,  from  the  prompt  and  ready  manner  in  which 
his  proposal  had  been  met,  that  such  additional 
troops  were  already  thrown  over  as  would  be  fully 
adequate  to  the  purposes  of  attack,  and  greatly  to  en- 
danger, if  not  wholly  to  cut  off.  Colonel  Thornton's 
retreat.  General  Lambert's  construction  was  such 
as  had  been  anticipated.  Although  the  armistice 
contained  a  request  that  it  should  be  immediately 
signed  and  returned,  it  was  neglected  to  be  acted 
upon  until  the  next  day  ;  and  Thornton  and  his  com- 
mand were,  in  the  interim,  under  cover  of  the  night, 
recrossed,  and  the  ground  they  occupied  left  to  be 
peaceably  possessed  by  the  original  holders.     Tha 


152  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

opportunity  thus  afforded  of  regaining  a  position  on 
which,  in  a  great  degree,  depended  the  safety  of 
those  on  the  opposite  shore,  was  accepted  with  an 
avidity  its  importance  merited,  and  immediate  mea- 
sures taken  to  increase  its  strength,  and  prepare  it 
against  any  future  attack  that  might  be  made.  This 
delay  of  the  British  commander  was  evidently  de- 
signed, that,  pending  the  negotiation,  and  before  it 
was  concluded,  an  opportunity  might  be  had  either 
of  throwing  over  reinforcements,  or  removing 
Colonel  Thornton  and  his  troops  from  a  situation 
so  extremely  perilous.  Early  next  morning,  Gene- 
ral Lambert  returned  his  acceptance  of  what  had  been 
proposed,  with  an  apology  for  having  failed  to  reply 
sooner :  he  excused  the  omission  by  pleading  a  press 
of  business,  which  had  occasioned  the  communication 
to  be  overlooked  and  ne^^lected.  Jackson  was  at 
no  loss  to  attribute  the  delay  to  the  correct  motive ; 
the  apology,  however,  was  as  perfectly  satisfac- 
tory to  him  as  any  thing  that  could  have  been 
offered  ;  beyond  the  object  intended  to  be  effected 
he  felt  unconcerned,  and  having  secured  this  rested 
perfectly  satisfied.  It  cannot, however,  appearother- 
wise  than  extraordinary,  that  this  neglect  should 
have  been  ascribed  by  the  British  general  to  acci- 
dent, or  a  press  of  business,  when  it  must  have  been, 
no  doubt,  of  greater  importance  at  that  moment  than 
any  thing  which  he  could  possibly  have  had  before 
him. 

180.  The  armistice  was  this  morning  (9th  of  Jan- 
uary) concluded,  and  agreed  to  continue  until  two 
o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  dead  and  wounded 
were  now  removed  from  the  field,  which  for  three 
hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  line  of  defence  they 
almost  literally  covered.  For  the  reason  already 
suggested,  our  soldiers,  within  the  line  of  demarca- 
tion between  the  two  camps,  delivered  over  to  the 
British,  who  were  not  permitted  to  cross  it,  the  dead 
for  burial,  and  the  wounded  on  parole,  for  which  it 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  153 

was  stipulated  an  equal  number  of  American  priso- 
ners should  be  restored. 

Ibl.  It  has  seldom  happened  that  officers  were 
more  deceived  in  their  expectations  than  they  were 
in  the  result  of  this  battle,  or  atoned  more  severely 
for  their  error:  their  reasoning  had  never  led  them 
to  conclude  that  militia  would  maintain  their  ground 
when  warmly  assailed  ;  no  other  belief  was  enter- 
cained  than,  alarmed  at  the  appearance  and  orderly 
firm  approach  of  veteran  troops,  they  would  at  once 
forsake  the  contest,  and  in  flight  seek  safety.  At 
what  part  of  our  line  they  were  stationed,  was  as- 
certained by  information  derived  through  a  deserter 
on  the  6th  ;  and,  influenced  by  a  belief  of  their  want 
of  nerve  and  deficiency  in  bravery,  at  this  point  the 
main  assault  was  urged.  They  were  indeed  militia  ; 
but  the  enemy  could  have  assailed  no  part  of  our  in- 
trenchment  where  they  would  have  met  a  warmer 
reception,  or  where  they  would  have  found  greater 
strength  ;  it  was,  indeed,  the  best  defended  part  of 
the  line.  The  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  troops, 
under  Generals  Carroll,  Thomas,  and  Adair,  were 
here,  who  had  already,  on  former  occasions,  won  a 
reputation  that  was  too  dear  to  be  sacrificed.  These 
divisions,  alternately  charging  their  pieces  and 
mounting  the  platform,  poured  forth  a  constant  fire 
that  was  impossible  to  be  withstood,  repelled  the 
advancing  columns,  and  drove  them  from  the  field 
with  prodigious  slaughter. 

182.  There  is  one  fact  told,  to  which  general  credit 
seems  to  be  attached,  and  which  clearly  shows  the 
opinion  had  by  the  British  of  our  militia,  and  the 
little  fear  which  was  entertained  of  any  determined 
opposition  from  them.  When  repulsed  from  our 
line,  the  British  officers  were  fully  persuaded  that 
the  information  given  them  by  the  deserter  on  the 
night  of  the  6th  was  false,  and  that  instead  of  point- 
ing out  the  ground  defended  by  the  militia,  he  had 
referred  them  to  the  place  occupied  by  our  best 


154  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

troops.  Enraged  at  what  they  believed  an  inten- 
tional deception,  they  called  their  informant  before 
them  to  account  for  the  mischief  he  had  done.  It 
was  in  vain  he  urged  his  innocence,  and,  with  the 
most  solemn  protestations,  declared  he  had  stated 
the  fact  truly  as  it  was.  They  could  not  be  con- 
vinced,— it  was  impossible  that  they  had  contended 
against  any  but  the  best-disciplined  troops ;  and, 
without  further  ceremony,  the  poor  fellow,  sus- 
pended in  view  of  the  camp,  expiated  on  a  tree,  not 
his  crime,  for  what  he  had  stated  was  true,  but  their 
error  in  underrating  an  enemy  who  had  already 
afforded  abundant  evidences  of  valour.  In  all  their 
future  trials  with  our  coutitr3'^men,  may  they  be  no 
less  deceived,  and  discover  in  our  yeomanry  a  de- 
termination to  sustain  with  firmness  a  government 
which  knovvs  nothing  of  oppression  ;  but  which,  on 
an  enlarged  and  liberal  scale,  aims  to  secure  the  in- 
dependence and  happiness  of  man.  If  the  people 
of  the  United  States, — free  almost  as  the  air  they 
breathe, — shall  at  any  time  omit  to  maintain  their 
privileges  and  their  government,  then,  indeed,  will 
it  be  idle  longer  to  speak  of  the  rights  of  men,  or 
of  their  capacity  to  govern  themselves  :  the  dream 
of  liberty  must  fade  away  and  perish  for  ever,  no 
more  to  be  remembered  or  thought  of. 

183.  After  the  battle  of  the  8th  of  January,  Jack- 
son could  have  captured  every  man  of  the  British 
force  that  was  upon  the  land,  if  he  had  been  sup- 
plied with  arms,  according  to  his  own  repeated 
urgent  requests,  and  agreeably  to  the  promises  that 
were  made  him.  Not  having  arms,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  let  the  remainder  of  the  "heroes  of  the 
Peninsula"  escape.  They  got  to  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  and  there  they  embarked,  leaving  behind 
them  the  contempt  of  the  faithful  Americans,  and  the 
sympathetic  sorrows  of  the  traitors.  Now,  how- 
ever, these  traitors  sang  his  praises  in  lofty  strains  ; 
put  up  thanksgiving  in  their  churches,  called  him 


v.]  DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  159 

"an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God;"  thougli  a 
few  days  before  they  would  have  sold  him  and  his 
army,  flesh,  blood,  bones,  and  all.  He  submitted  to 
the  mummery  of  being-  fined  for  having  imprisoned 
the  judge,  which  he  did  of  course,  in  order  to  give 
an  example  of  submission  to  the  laws,  most  heartily 
despising  the  traitor,  and  all  his  brother  traitors  at 
the  same  time.  He  found  it  necessary  to  remain 
at  New-Orleans  till  March,  when  he  dismissed  his 
troops  in  the  following  address,  which  ought  to  be 
read,  preserved,  and  cherished  in  every  country  in 
the  world : — 

Address  to  ths  troops  of  New-Orleans  after  the  annunciation 
of  peace. 

The  major-general  is  at  length  enabled  to  perform  the 
pleasing  task  of  restoring  to  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Louisi- 
ana, and  the  territory  of  the  Mississippi,  the  brave  troops 
who  have  acted  such  a  distinguished  part  in  the  war  which 
has  just  terminated.  In  restoring  these  brave  men  to  their 
homes,  much  exertion  is  expected  of,  and  great  responsibihty 
imposed  on,  the  commanding  officers  of  the  different  corps. 
It  is  required  of  Major-generals  Carroll  and  Thomas,  and 
Brigadier-general  Coffee,  to  march  their  commands,  without 
unnecessary  delay,  to  iheir  respective  states.  The  troops 
from  the  Mississippi  territory  and  state  of  Louisiana,  both 
miUtia  and  volunteers,  will  be  immediately  mustered  out  of 
service,  paid,  and  discharged. 

The  major-general  has  the  satisfaction  of  announcing  the 
approbation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  the  con- 
duct of  the  troops  under  his  command,  expressed  in  flattet- 
ing  terms,  through  the  honourable  the  secretary  at  war. 

In  parting  with  those  brave  men,  whose  destim'es  nave  been 
so  long  united  with  his  own,  and  in  whose  labours  and  glories 
it  is  his  happiness  and  his  boast  to  have  participated,  the 
commanding  general  can  neither  suppress  his  feelings,  nor 
give  utterance  to  them  as  he  ought.  In  what  terms  can  he 
oestow  suitable  praise  on  merit  so  extraordinary,  so  unparal- 
eled  ?  Let  him,  in  one  burst  of  joy,  gratitude,  and  exultation, 
exclaim — "These  are  the  saviours  of  their  country — these 


156  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

the  patriot  soldiers,  who  triumphed  over  the  invincibles  of 
WelUngton,  and  conquerrd  the  conquerors  of  Europe !" 
With  what  patience  did  you  submit  to  privations — with  what 
fortitude  did  you  endure  fatigue — what  valour  did  you  display 
in  the  day  of  battle  !  You  have  secured  to  America  a  proud 
name  among  the  nations  of  the  earth — a  glory  which  will 
never  perish. 

Possessing  those  dispositions  which  equally  adorn  the 
citizen  and  the  soldier,  the  expectations  of  your  country  will 
be  met  in  peace,  as  her  wishes  have  been  gratified  in  war. 
Go,  then,  my  brave  companions,  to  your  homes  ;  to  those 
tender  connexions,  and  blissful  scenes,  which  render  life  so 
dear — full  of  honour,  and  crowned  with  laurels  which  will 
never  fade.  When  participating  in  the  bosoms  of  your  fami- 
lies the  enjoyment  of  peaceful  life,  with  what  happiness  will 
you  not  look  back  to  the  toils  you  have  borne — to  the  dangers 
you  have  encountered  ]  How  will  all  your  past  exposures  be 
converted  hitcf  sources  of  inexpressible  delight !  Who,  that 
never  experienced  your  sufferings,  will  be  able  to  appreciate 
your  joys  1  The  man  who  slumbered  ingloriously  at  home, 
during  your  painful  marches,  your  nights  of  watchfulness,  and 
your  days  of  toil,  will  envy  you  the  happiness  which  these 
recollections  will  afford — still  more  will  he  envy  the  gratitude 
of  that  country  which  you  have  so  eminently  contributed  to 
save. 

Continue,  fellow-soldiers,  on  your  passage  to  your  several 
destinations,  to  preserve  that  subordination,  that  dignified  and 
manlv  deportment  which  have  so  ennobled  your  character. 

While  the  commanding  general  is  thus  giving  indulgence 
to  his  feelings  towards  those  brave  companions  who  accom- 
panied him  through  difficulties  and  danger,  he  cannot  permit 
the  names  of  Blount,  and  Shelby,  and  Holmes^  to  pass  un- 
noticed. With  what  generous  ardour  and  patriotism  have 
these  distinguished  governors  contributed  all  their  exertions 
to  provide  t.he  means  of  victory  !  The  recollection  of  their 
exertions,  and  of  the  success  which  has  resulted,  will  be  to 
them  a  reward  more  grateful  than  any  which  the  pomp  of 
title  or  the  splendour  of  wealth  can  bestow. 

What  happiness  it  is  to  the  commanding  general,  that, 
while  danger  was  before  him,  he  was,  on  no  occasion,  com- 
pelled to  use  towards  his  companions  in  arms  either  severity 
or  rebuke  !    If,  after  the  enemy  had  retired,  improper  passions 


"•] 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW-ORLEANS.  157 


began  their  empire  in  a  few  unworthy  bosoms,  and  rendered 
a  resort  to  energetic  measures  necessary  for  their  suppression, 
he  has  not  confounded  the  innocent  with  the  guilty — the 
seduced  with  the  seducers.  Towards  you,  fellow-soldiers, 
the  most  cheering  recollections  exist ;  blended,  alas  !  with 
regret,  that  disease  and  war  should  have  ravished  from  us  so 
many  worthy  companions.  But  the  memory  of  the  cause  in 
which  they  perished,  and  of  the  virtues  which  animated  them 
while  living,  must  occupy  the  place  where  sorrow  would 
claim  to  dwell. 

Farewell,  fero'v-soldiers.     The  expression  of  your  gene- 
ral's thanks  is  feeble,  but  the  gratitude  of  a  country  of  free- 
men is  yours — yours  the  applause  of  an  admiring  world. 
ANDREW  JACKSON, 

Major^Gencral  commanding. 

184.  Let  us  now  see  the  pretty  story  which  the 
government  dressed  up  to  gull  the  people  of  England 
with.  It  will  be  remembered,  that  Packenham,  and 
Gibbs,  and  Keane  had  been  killed,  or  put  hors  de 
combat;  so  that  Lambert  became  the  commander-in- 
chief.  Lambert  sent  home  his  despatch,  though  of 
what  date  we  were  not  told.  Lambert's  despatch 
was  never  given  to  the  public.  What  is  called  a 
"bulletin"  was  dressed  up,  and  published  in  the 
London  Gazette  in  the  following  words,  on  the  8th 
of  March,  1815:— 

BULLETIN. 

War  Department,  March  8,  1815. 

Captain  Wjdly  arrived  this  morning  with  despatches  from 
Major-general  Lambert,  detaihng  the  operations  against  the 
enemy  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New-Orleans.  It  appears 
that  the  army,  under  the  command  of  Major-general  Keane, 
was  landed  at  the  head  of  the  Bayonne,  in  the  vicinity  of 
New-Orleans,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  December,  without 
opposition ;  it  was,  however,  attacked  by  the  enemy  in  the 
course  of  the  night  succeeding  the  landing,  when,  after  an 
obstinate  contest,  the  enemy  were  repulsed  at  all  points  with 
considerable    loss.     On    the  morning   of  the  25th,  Sir  E, 

O 


158  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

Packenham  arrived,  and  assumed  the  command  of  ihc  army. 
On  the  27th,  at  daylight,  the  troops  moved  forward,  driving 
the  enemy's  pickets  to  within  six  miles  of  the  town,  when 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy  was  discovered  posted  behind  a 
breastwork,  extending  about  one  thousand  yards,  with  the 
right  resting  on  the  Mississippi,  and  the  left  on  a  thick  wood. 
The  interval  between  the  27lh  December  and  the  8lh  Janu- 
ary was  employed  in  preparations  for  an  attack  upon  the 
enemy's  position.  The  attack  which  was  intended  to  have 
been  "made  on  the  night  of  the  7th,  did  not,  owing  to  the 
difficulties  experienced  in  the  passage  of  the  Mississippi,  by 
a  corps  under  Lieutenant-colonel  Thornton,  which  was  des- 
tined to  act  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  take  place  till 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  Sth.  The  division  to  whom  the 
storming  of  the  enemy's  work  was  intrusted,  moved  to  the 
attack  at  that  time,  but  being  too  soon  discovered  by  the 
enemy,  were  received  with  a  galling  and  severe  fire  from  all 
parts  "of  their 'line.  Major-general  Sir  Edward  Packenham^ 
who  had  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  troops,  v/as  un- 
fortunately killed  at  the  head  of  the  glacis,  and  Major-gene- 
rals Gibbs  and  Keane  were  nearly  at  the  same  moment 
wounded.  The  effect  of  this  upon  the  troops  caused  a 
hesitation  in  their  advance,  and  though  order  was  restored 
by  the  advance  of  the  reserve  under  Major-general  Lambert, 
to  whom  the  command  of  the  army  had  devolved,  and 
Colonel  Thornton  had  succeeded  in  the  operation  assigned  to 
him  on  the  right  bank  of  the  rrver ;  yet  the  major-general, 
upon  the  consideration  of  the  difficulties  which  yet  remained 
to  be  surmounted,  did  not  think  himself  justified  in  ordering 
a  renewal  of  the  attack.  The  troops,  therefore,  retired  to  the 
position  which  they  had  occupied  previous  to  the  attack.  In 
that  position  they  remained  until  the  evening  of  the  18th, 
when,  the  whole  of  the  wounded,  with  the  exception  of  eighty 
(whom  it  was  considered  dangerous  to  remove),  the  field 
artillery,  and  all  the  stores  of  every  description,  having  been 
embarked,  the  army  retired  to  the  head  of  the  Bayonne^ 
where  the  landing  had  been  originally  effected,  and  re- 
embarked  without  molestation. 

185.  And  this  was  all  that  the  people  of  this  duped 
nation  ever  heard  of  the  matter  from  first  to  last. 
Bonaparte  had  landed  ot  this  time  from  Elba,  and 


T..] 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW -ORLEANS.  159 


the  battle  of  Waterloo  soon  succeeded ;  and  both 
government  and  people  were  extremely  glad  to  for- 
get all  about  this  unmerciful  beating  in  America. 
This  battle  of  New-Orleans  broke  the  heart  of 
European  despotism ;  and  the  man  who  won  it  did, 
in  that  one  act,  more  for  the  good  and  the  honour  of 
the  human  race,  than  ever  was  yet  done  by  any  other 
man  besides  himself. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FROM  MARCH,  1815,  TO  FEBROARV,  1834. 

Becomes  a  senator  in  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
state  of  Tennessee — Is  a  candidate  for  the  presidentship,  1824 — 
Has  the  greatest  number  of  votes,  but  is  kept  out  by  a  trick  of 
Clay  and  Crawford — Is  chosen  president  in  1829 — Declares 
against  a  renewal  of  the  bank  charter — Puts  his  veto  on  a  bill  to 
renew  the  charter  of  the  bank — The  bank  forms  a  conspiracy 
against  his  re-election — He  is  re  elected  in  the  fall  of  1832 — He 
denounces  the  bank,  exposes  its  corruption  and  bribery,  takes 
the  deposites  from  the  bank,  and  places  them  in  the  state  banks 
— Publishes  his  reasons  for  doing  this — Person  and  character. 

186.  Once  more  Jackson  returned  to  his  farm  at 
Nashville  ;  but  after  all  these  exploits,  after  the  ex- 
hibition of  such  talent,  such  inflexible  resolution  in 
the  performance  of  every  thing  which  he  deemed 
for  the  honour  and  good  of  his  country,  it  was  im- 
possible that  a  sensible  and  grateful  people  should 
be  satisfied  without  seeing  him  in  the  occupation  of 
some  important  public  post.  He  was  soon,  there- 
fore, again  a  member  of  the  congress;  one  of  the 
two  senators  for  his  own  domestic  state  of  Tennes- 
see. At  the  time  when  he  returned  home,  Mr. 
Madison  was  the  president ;  Monroe  succeeded 
Madison  in  1816;  and  he  continued  in  the  office  tilJ 


160  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

1824.  In  1824,  a  new  president  being  to  be  chosen, 
Jackson,  popular  with  all  but  the  envious  few,  and 
the  monopolizing  paper-money  many,  was  put  in 
nomination  as  a  candidate  for  the  presidentship ;  and 
he  had  more  votes  than  any  other  candidate,  yet  he 
was  not  chosen  president.  The  English  reader  will 
ask  how  this  can  be  :  it  is  thus.  The  law  is,  that 
electors  of  the  president  shall  be  chosen  by  the  peo- 
ple in  every  state ;  that  these  electors  shall  each 
give  his  vote  for  some  one  person  to  be  president ; 
that  any  candidate  who  has  a  majority  of  the  votes 
of  the  whole  of  the  electors  shall  be  the  president; 
but,  if  there  be  no  one  who  has  a  majority  of  the 
whole  of  the  votes  of  the  electors,  then  the  presi- 
dent shall  be  chosen  by  the  members  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  ;  but  that  there  they  shall  vote 
by  states ;  and  that  each  state  shall  have  one  vote  and 
no  7nore.  Now,  there  were  four  candidates  having 
votes  of  electors  as  follows  : — 

Jackson        -        _        -        -        99 
Adams  _         _         -         -         84 

Crawford      -        -        -        -        47 
Clay  -        ...        31 


261 

187.  Therefore,  Jackson  not  having  a  majority 
of  the  whole,  the  other  kind  of  election  took  place  ; 
and  as  they  were  the  great  states  who  were  for 
him,  and  the  small  states  for  Adams,  the  other 
mode  of  election  made  Adams  the  president,  though 
with  a  minority  of  votes !  This  was  a  vindictive 
trick  of  Clay,  who  envied  and  hated  Jackson. 
Crawford  and  Clay  appear  to  have  stood  forward 
for  the  express  purpose  of  gratifying  their  envy  of 
Jackson  ;  and  thus  for  four  years  they  deprived  the 
people  of  the  services  of  the  man  of  their  choice. 
It  is  right  to  observe  here  on  the  sound  judgment 
of  th^  American  people,  as  most  fully  proved  upon 
this  occasion.     The  president,  though,  as  we  have 


ri.j  IS    ELECTED    PRESIDENT.  161 

seen,  a  most  able  and  beautiful  writer,  appears 
never  to  have  taken  much  part  in  the  war  of  w^ords 
Clay  is,  they  say,  one  of  the  best  speech-makers 
in  the  world  ;  but  the  people  did  not  want  a  speech- 
maker  ;  they  remembered  that  Washington  was  no 
speech-maker;  they  wanted  a  man  of  tried  fidelity 
and  resolution  ;  and,  above  all  things,  a  man  hostile 
to  the  frauds  of  paper-money  :  they  knew  that  they 
had  a  hydra  to  destroy,  and  they  wanted  a  Hercules 
for  a  president.  Mr.  Ronaldson,  of  Philadelphia,  a 
most  sensible,  clear-sighted,  and  public-spirited 
man,  an  essay  from  whose  pen  I  myself  published 
i-n  England  pretty  nearly  twenty  years  ago,  showing 
t-hat,  if  the  paper-money  were  not  put  a  stop  to,  it 
Rmst  destroy  the  liberties  of  America  ;  this  Mr. 
Ronaldson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  but  settled  from 
his  youth  in  Philidelphia,  I  saw  at  New- York  in 
1818 ;  and  he  then  again  pressed  upon  me  the 
i^ecessity  of  all  good  people  combining  against  the 
infamous  paper-money.  I  do  not  know,  and  I  never 
fiave  known  a  cleverer  man  than  Mr.  Ronaldson  :  I 
have  been  informed  by  a  gentleman  from  Philadel- 
phia, and  now  in  England,  that  Mr.  Ronaldson  was 
the  first  man  in  America  to  propose  Jackson  for 
president;  that  he  called  a  meeting  for  the  purpose 
in  Philadelphia  ;  and  from  that  meeting  the  proposi- 
tion spread  itself  over  the  union.  I  have  thought 
it  just  towards  Mr.  Ronaldson  to  relate  this  fact :  and 
I  thought  it  just  to  our  cause  also  ;  because  the  first 
thought  of  the  matter  having  emanated  from  the  mind 
of  such  a  man,  is  an  additional  proof  of  the  wisdom 
of  the  choice  made  by  the  people. 

188.  Adams'  four  years  having  expired,  he  tried 
the  thing  again;  but  the  field  was  now  clear  of  Clay 
and  of  Crawford,  who  had  got  pretty  well  execrated 
for  their  conduct  at  the  preceding  election;  and 
now  the  votes  of  the  electors  stood  thus : 

Jackson        -        -     178 

Adams  -       -        -      83 

Total  -  261 

03 


102  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

189.  Now  it  was,  and  now  it  is,  that  he  had,  and 
has,  to  overcome  a  more  deadly  enemy  of  his  country 
than  either  the  British  or  the  savages,  namely,  the 
?nonster  of  paper  money  I  In  the  year  1816,  a  charter 
had  been  granted  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  to  make  a  Bank  of  the  United  States,  as  nearly 
as  possible  like  the  Bank  of  England.  This  bank  was 
a  great  extension  of  the  paper-money  system  which 
had  before  existed.  It  was  to  receive  as  deposites 
the  taxes  raised  by  the  United  States  ;  it  was  to  pay 
the  dividends  on  the  United  States'  stock  or  debt,- 
it  was  to  make  advances  to  the  government,  if  ne- 
cessary ;  in  short,  like  the  Bank  of  England,  it  was 
to  lend  the  people  its  notes,  bottomed  upon  the 
people's  own  money ;  and  it  necessarily  would 
have,  and  it  did  have  the  power  of  raising  and  of 
owering  prices  at  its  pleasure  ;  and  thus  of  enor- 
nously  enriching  the  few  at  the  expense  of  the  in- 
iustrious  many,  and  of  producing  all  those  other 
.errible  evils  which  by  the  time  that  .Tackson  be- 
came president,  in  1829,  had  covered  that  once 
nappy  country  with  misery.  Jackson  was  too  just 
and  too  wise  a  man  not  to  use  all  his  lawful  powers 
for  putting  an  end  to  this  hellish  system.  He  was  no 
sooner  in  possession  of  his  office  than  he  began  to 
take  steps  for  this  purpose.  In  his  annual  message, 
delivered  to  the  congress,  in  December,  1829,  in  De- 
cember, 1830,  and  in  December,  1831,  he  expressed 
lis  opinions  very  freely  as  to  this  matter,  and  those 
opinions  decidedly  hostile  to  the  bank  and  banking 
system.  In  the  session  of  the  winter  of  1832,  the  vil- 
lanons  paper-money  people  and  their  supporters  laid  a 
scheme  for  ousting  him  from  his  presidentship,  or  for 
compelling  him  to  give  up  his  hostility  to  the  banks. 
If  he  intended  to  Idc  chosen  again,  next  year  was 
the  time  for  the  election;  and,  therefore,  they  thought 
they  would  put  him  to  the  test,  which  they  did  by 
bringing  in,  and  passing  through  the  two  houses,  a 
hill  for  the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  Bank  of  the 


VI.]  WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  163 

United  States.  This  was  wholly  unnecessary,  the 
charter  of  the  bank  having  four  years  yet  unexpired  ; 
but  his  re-election  was  coming  on,  and  this  was  to 
try  him  before  that  took  place  ;  if  he  signed  the  act^ 
then  it  did  not  signify  whether  he  were  elected  or 
not  ;  if  he  refused  to  sign  it,  then  there  was  time 
lo  defeat  his  election. 

190.  He  knew  all  this  as  well  as  the  vile  paper- 
money  crew  knew  it ;  but  when  the  bill  reached  him, 
he  instantly  put  his  veto  upon  it,  and  told  the  two 
house:=;  that  he  never  would  put  his  hand  to  a  charter 
of  the  bank  as  long  as  he  existed.  This  was  at  the 
close  of  the  session  of  1832  ;  and  his  re-election  was 
to  come  on  in  October  of  that  same  year.  He  told  the 
congress,  that  he  clearly  saw  that  this  bill  was  ten- 
dered to  him  as  the  means  of  putting  him  to  the  test, 
and  of  putting  the  people  to  the  test  too  ;  and  in  con- 
clusion of  his  reasons  against  signing  the  bill,  he  said, 
*'  I  have  now  done  my  duty  to  my  country.  If  sus- 
tained by  my  fellow-citizens,  I  shall  be  grateful  and 
liappy  ;  if  not,  I  shall  find  in  the  motives  which  impel 
aie  ample  grounds  for  contentment  and  peace.  The 
re-election  was  to  come,  as  has  been  just  observed, 
in  October,  and  the  bank  and  all  its  branches,  and  all 
the  bankers  in  the  whole  country,  set  to  work  to 
defeat  his  re-election.  The  bank  of  the  United 
States  made  enormous  issues  of  fresh  paper,  and 
lent  this  paper  to  persons  publishing  newspapers, 
and  to  writers  and  other  persons  connected  with 
the  press,  in  order  so  to  work  as  to  prevent  his  re- 
election. These  miscreants  endeavoured  to  alarm 
the  people  at  the  prospect  of  low  prices  and  of  general 
bankruptcy  and  ruin ;  and  the  watchword  of  the 
election  was,  "  Jackson  and  hard  money"  on  one  side, 
and  the  "  Bank  and  its  supporters"  on  the  other  side. 
It  appears  that  the  bank  had  a  very  large  part  of 
the  newspaper  press  actually  in  its  pay.  Never- 
theless, the  people  decided  for  Jackson.  He  had, 
upon  this  occasion,  not  three  opponents,  as  before, 


164  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

but  one,  namely,  his  bitter  and  envious  enemy,  Mr. 
Clay,  over  whom  he  obtained  a  majority  very  great 
indeed.  He  had  the  last  time  to  contend  with  Adams, 
who  had  none  but  the  aristocratical  party  for  him. 
Clay  was,  therefore,  chosen  as  his  opponent  this 
time,  it  being  supposed  that  the  aristocratical  party 
would  all  vote  for  Clay,  though  he  had  always 
been  of  the  other  party.  Of  the  two  it  was  thought 
that  they  would  prefer  Clay ;  and  it  was  thought 
that  some  of  the  democratic  party,  at  any  rate, 
would  vote  for  Clay.  These  calculations,  though 
rational  enough,  were  thwarted  by  the  event :  all 
the  people  knew  that  Jackson  had  declared  against 
the  bank;  and,  being  of  his  opinion,  they  decided  by 
a  great  majority  that  the  bank  ought  to  cease.  The 
people  chosQ  Jackson  ;  and,  by  choosing  him,  they 
lecided  in  favour  of  hard  money.  When  the  Eng- 
ish  reader  is  thus  informed  of  the  history  of  these 
;wo  elections,  he  will  cease  to  be  surprised  at  the 
i^ery  long  and  admirably  eloquent  speeches  of  Mr. 
Clay,  against  what  he  calls  the  "  tyranny^"*  of  the 
•'  dictator''''  Jackson ;  and  he  will  cease  to  wonder, 
that  these  very  lengthy  and  most  pathetic  patriotic 
harangues  appear  to  produce  no  more  effect  upon 
the  American  people,  than  is  produced  on  them  by 
the  squeaking  of  the  frogs,  the  clamour  of  the  kid- 
dadids,  or  the  whistling  of  the  "  ichippcr-wills.''^  But 
'.he  dehnquencies  of  these  infamous  bankers  were 
not  to  be  tolerated  any  longer.  The  president  had 
determined  not  to  renew  the  charter  of  this  great 
bank ;  but  it  had  too  long  a  time  to  do  m.schief  in  ; 
and  he  therefore  resolved  to  pare  its  nails.  The  act 
establishing  the  bank  provided,  that  the  public  money 
should  be  deposited  in  the  bank,  unless  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury  should  think  proper  to  deposit  it 
at  any  other  place,  ichich  he  might  do  at  any  time,  merely 
informing  the  house  of  representatives  that  he  had  so 
done :  and,  as  this  secretary  is  appointed  by  the 
president  himself,  he  will  hardly,  in  such  a  case,  act 


VI.]  WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  1G5 

contrary  to  his  will.  The  president,  therefore, 
ordered  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  or  at  least 
induced  him,  to  take  the  deposites  from  the  great 
bank,  and  place  them  in  some  of  the  state  banks. 
One  secretary  would  not  do  this,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  choose  another  that  would  do  it.  In  jus- 
tification of  a  measure  so  decided,  and  of  such  vast 
importance,  the  president  exposed  the  corruption, 
the  bribery,  the  roguery  indescribable,  of  this  abomi- 
nable Bank  of  the  United  States  ;  and  showed,  that 
neither  law,  nor  constitution,  nor  private  property, 
nor  public  safety,  could  co-exist  with  this  atrocious 
institution.  As  a  vehicle  for  these  his  accusations 
against  the  bank,  he  published,  on  the  28th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1833,  a  letter,  addressed  by  him  to  the  sev- 
eral ministers  of  his  cabinet.  This  letter,  one  of 
the  greatest  acts  of  his  whole  wonderful  life,  I  here 
insert,  as  containing  the  history  of  the  abominations 
of  this  nefarious  bank,  and  as  containing  the  grounds 
of  all  those  proceedings  of  the  president,  which  he 
is  now  (March,  1534)  pushing  forward,  and  which 
promise  to  deliver  his  country  from  the  accursed 
scourge  of  paper-money. 


Read  to  the  Cabinet  on  the  \%th  of  September,  1833 

A.  Having  carefully  and  anxiously  considered  all  the  facts 
and  arguments  which  have  been  submitted  to  him,  relative 
to  a  removal  of  the  public  deposites  from  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States,  the  president  deems  it  his  duty  to  communi- 
cate in  this  manner  to  his  cabinet  the  final  conclusions 
of  his  own  mind,  and  the  reasons  on  which  they  are  founded, 
in  order  to  put  them  in  a  durable  form,  and  to  prevent  mis- 
conceptions. 

B.  The  president's  convictions  of  the  dangerous  tenden- 
cies of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  since  signally  illus- 
trated by  its  own  acts,  were  so  overpowering  when  he  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  chief  magistrate,  that  he  felt  it  his 
duty,  notwithstanding  the  objections  of  the  friends  by  whom 


166  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

he  was  surrounded,  to  avail  himself  of  the  first  occasion  to 
call  the  attention  of  congress  and  the  people  to  the  question 
of  its  re-charter.  The  opinions  expressed  in  his  annual 
message  of  December,  1829,  were  reiterated  in  those  of  De- 
cember, 1830  and  1831  ;  and  in  that  of  1830  he  threw  out 
for  consideration  some  suggestions  in  relation  to  a  substitute. 
At  the  session  of  1831-2,  an  act  was  passed  by  a  majority 
of  both  houses  of  congress  re-chartering  the  present  bank, 
upon  which  tlie  president  felt  it  his  duty  to  put  his  consti 
tutional  veto.  In  his  message  returning  that  act  he  re 
peated  and  enlarged  upon  the  principles  and  viev^'s  brief!) 
asserted  in  his  annual  messages,  declaring  the  bank  to  be_ 
in  his  opinion,  both  inexpedient  and  unconstitutional,  and  an 
nouncing  to  his  countrymen,  very  unequivocally,  his  firm  de- 
termination never  to  sanction,  by  his  approval,  the  continu- 
ance of  that  institution,  or  the  establishment  of  any  othei 
upon  similar.principles. 

C.  There  are  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  the  motive 
of  the  bank,  in  asking  for  a  re-charter  at  that  session  of  con- 
gress, was  to  make  it  a  leading  question  in  the  election  of  a 
president  of  the  United  States  the  ensuing  November,  and 
all  steps  deemed  necessary  were  taken  to  procure  from  the 
people  a  reversal  of  the  president's  decision. 

D.  Although  the  charter  was  approaching  its  termination, 
and  the  bank  was  aware  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the 
government  to  use  the  public  deposites,  as  fast  as  they  ac- 
crued, in  the  payment  of  the  public  debt,  yet  it  did  extend 
its  loans  from  January,  1831,  to  May,  1832,  from  42,402,304 
dollars  to  70,428,070  dollars,  being  an  increase  of  28,025,766 
dollars  in  sixteen  months.  It  is  confidently  believed  that  the 
leading  object  of  tins  immense  extension  of  its  loans  was  to 
brino-  as  large  a  portion  of  the  people  as  possible  under  its 
power  and  influence  ;  and  it  has  been  disclosed  that  some 
of  the  largest  sums  were  granted  on  very  unusual  terms  to 
conductors  of  the  public  press.  In  some  of  these  cases 
the  motive  was  made  manifest  by  the  nominal  or  insufficient 
security  taken  for  the  loans,  by  the  large  amounts  discounted, 
by  the  extraordinary  time  allowed  for  payment,  and  espe- 
cially by  the  subsequent  conduct  of  those  receiving  the  ac- 
commodation. 

E.  Having  taken  these  preliminary  steps  to  obtain  control 
.  ver  public  oj)inion,  the  bank  came  into  congress,  and  askec^ 


T.]  WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  167 

tk  nevw  cha^  ter  The  object  avowed  by  many  of  the  advocates 
o\  '.hv'  bank  was  f  o  put  the  president  to  the  test,  that  the  country 
migrht  know  rt'iy  final  determination  relative  to  the  bank, 
pric .  io  tht»  wii»uing  election.  Many  documents  and  articles 
weri  printed  niA  circulated  at  the  expense  of  the  bank,  to 
bring  the  people  to  a  favourable  decision  upon  its  preten- 
sions. Those  whom  the  bank  appears  to  have  made  its 
debtors  for  the  special  occasion,  were  warned  of  the  ruin 
which  awaited  them  should  the  president  be  sustained,  and 
attempts  were  made  to  alarm  the  whole  people,  by  painting 
the  depression  in  the  price  of  property  and  produce,  and  the 
general  loss,  inconvenience,  and  distress  which  it  was  rep- 
resented would  immediately  follow  the  re-election  of  the 
president  in  opposition  to  the  bank. 

F.  Can  it  now  be  said  that  the  question  of  a  re-charter 
of  the  bank  was  not  decided  at  the  election  which  ensued  1 
Had  the  veto  been  equivocal,  or  had  it  not  covered  the 
whole  ground, — if  it  had  merely  taken  exceptions  to  the  de- 
tails of  the  bill,  or  to  the  time  of  its  passage, — if  it  had  not 
met  the  whole  ground  of  constitutionality  and  expediency, 
then  there  might  have  been  some  plausibility  for  the  allega- 
tion that  the  question  was  not  decided  by  the  people.  It 
was  to  compel  the  president  to  take  his  stand  that  the 
question  was  brought  forward  at  that  particular  time.  He 
met  the  challenge,  willingly  took  the  position  into  which  his 
adversaries  souo-ht  to  force  him,  and  frankly  declared  his 
unalterable  opposition  to  the  bank,  as  being  both  unconstitu- 
tional and  inexpedient.  On  that  ground  the  case  was  argued 
to  the  people,  and  now  that  the  people  have  sustained  the 
president,  notwithstanding  the  array  of  influence  and  power 
which  was  brought  to  bear  upon  him,  it  is  too  late,  he  confi- 
dently thinks,  to  say  that  the  question  has  not  been  decided. 
Whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  others,  the  president  con- 
siders his  re-election  as  a  decision  of  the  people  against  the 
bank.  In  the  concluding  paragraph  of  this  veto  message  he 
said — 

G.  "  I  have  now  done  my  duty  to  my  country.  If  sus- 
tained by  my  fellow-citizens,  I  shall  be  grateful  and  happy  ; 
if  not,  I  shall  find  in  the  motives  which  impel  me  ample 
grounds  for  contentment  and  peace." 

He  was  sustained  by  a  just  people,  and  he  desires  to 
evince  his  gratitude,  by  carrying  into  effect  their  decision, 
60  far  as  it  depends  upon  him. 


168  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

H.  Of  all  the  substitutes  for  the  present  bank  which  have 
been  suggested,  none  seems  to  have  united  any  considerable 
portion  of  the  public  in  its  favour.  Most  of  them  are  liable 
to  the  same  constitutional  objections  for  which  the  present 
bank  has  been  condemned,  and  perhaps  to  all  there  are" 
strong  objections  on  the  score  of  expediency.  In  ridding-' 
the  country  of  the  irresponsible  power  which  has  attempted' 
to  control  the  government,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  unite' 
the  same  power  with  the  executive  branch.  To  give  a 
president  the  control  over  the  currency,  and  the  power  over 
individuals  now  possessed  by  the  Bank  of  the  United  States, 
even  with  the  material  difference  that  he  is  responsible  to- 
the  people,  would  be  as  objectionable  and  as  dangerous  as- 
to  leave  it  as  it  is.  Neither  the  one  nor  the  other  is  neces- 
sar}',  and  therefore  ought  not  to  be  resorted  to. 

I.  On  the  whole,  the  president  considers  it  as  conclusively 
settled  that  .the  charter  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  State? 
will  not  be  renewed,  and  he  has  no  reasonable  ground  ta 
believe  that  any  substitute  will  be  established.  Being  bound 
to  regulate  his  course  by  the  laws  as  they  exist,  and  not  to 
anticipate  the  interference  of  the  legislative  power,  for  the 
purpose  of  framing  new  systems,  it  is  proper  for  him  season- 
ably to  consider  the  m^ans  by  which  the  services  rendered 
by  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  are  to  be  performed  after 
■its  charter  shall  expire. 

K.  The  existing  laws  declare,  that  "  the  deposites  of  the 
money  of  the  United  States  in  places  in  which  the  said  bank 
and  branches  thereof  may  be  established,  shall  be  made  in 
said  bank  or  branches  thereof,  unless  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  shall  at  any  time  otherwise  order  and  direct,  in  which 
case  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  shall  immediately  lay 
before  congress,  if  in  session,  and  if  not,  immediately  after  the 
commencement  of  the  next  session,  the  reason  of  such  order 
or  direction." 

L.  The  power  of  the  secretary  oi'  the  treasury  over  the 
deposites  is  unqualified.  The  provision  that  he  shall  report 
his  reasons  to  congress  is  no  limitation.  Had  it  not  been 
inserted,  he  would  have  been  responsible  to  congress  had  he 
made  a  removal  for  any  other  than  good  reasons,  and  his  re- 
sponsibility now  ceases  upon  the  rendition  of  sufficient  ones 
to  congress.     The  only  object  of  the  provision  is  to  make 


VI.]  WAR   WITH   THE    BANK.  169 

his  reasons  accessible  to  congress,  and  enable  that  body 
the  more  readily  to  judge  of  their  soundness  and  purity,  and 
thereupon  to  make  such  further  provision  by  law  as  the 
legislative  power  may  think  proper  in  relation  to  the  deposits 
of  the  public  money.  Those  reasons  may  be  very  diversi- 
fied. It  was  asserted  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
without  contradiction,  as  early  as  1817,  that  he  had  power 
"  to  control  the  proceedings"  of  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States  at  any  moment,  "by  changing  the  deposites  to  the 
state  banks,  should  it  pursue  an  illiberal  course  towards 
those  institutions  ;"  that  "the  secretary  of  the  treasury  will 
always  be  disposed  to  support  the  credit  of  the  state  banks, 
and  will  invariably  direct  transfers  from  the  deposites  of  the 
public  money  in  aid  of  their  legitimate  exertions  to  maintain 
their  credit ;"  and  he  asserted  a  right  to  employ  the  state 
banks  when  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  should  refuse  to 
receive  on  deposite  the  notes  of  such  state  banks  as  the 
public  interest  required  should  be  received  in  payment  of  the 
pubUc  dues.  In  several  instances  he  did  transfer  the  public 
deposites  to  state  banks,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  branches, 
for  reasons  connected  only  with  the  safety  of  those  banks, 
the  public  convenience,  and  the  interests  of  the  treasury. 

M.  If  it  was  lawful  for  Mr.  Crawford,  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  at  that  ti.me,  to  acton  these  principles,  it  will  be  difficult 
to  discover  any  sound  reason  against  the  application  of  simi- 
lar principles  in  still  stronger  cases.  And  it  is  a  matter  of 
surprise  that  a  power  which,  in  the  infancy  of  the  bank,  was 
freely  asserted  as  one  of  the  ordinary  and  familiar  duties  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury  should  now  be  gravely  ques- 
tioned, and  attempts  made  to  excite  and  alarm  the  public 
mind  as  if  some  new  and  unheard-of  power  was  about  to  be 
usurped  by  the  executive  branch  of  the  government. 

N.  It  is  but  a  little  more  than  two  years  and  a  half  to  the 
termination  of  the  charter  of  the  present  bank.  It  is  con- 
sidered, as  the  decision  of  the  country,  that  it  shall  then 
cease  to  exist,  and  no  man,  the  president  believes,  has  rea- 
sonable ground  for  expectation  that  any  other  bank  of  the 
United  States  will  be  created  by  congress.  To  the  treasury 
department  is  intrusted  the  safe  keeping  and  faithful  applica- 
tion of  the  public  moneys.  A  plan  of  collection  different  from 
the  present  must,  therefore,  be  introduced  and  put  in  com- 
plete operation  before  the  dissolution  of  the  present  bank. 

P 


170  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [ch'AP* 

When  shall  it  be  commenced  1  Shall  no  step  be  taken  in 
this  essential  concern  until  the  charter  expires,  and  the  trea- 
sury finds  itself  without  an  agent,  its  accounts  in  confusion, 
with  no  depository  for  its  funds,  and  the  whole  business  of  the 
government  deranged  1  Or  shall  it  be  delayed  until  six 
months,  or  a  year,  or  two  years,  before  the  expiratian  of  the 
charter  1  It  is  obvious,  that  any  new  system  which  may  be 
substituted  in  the  place  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States, 
could  not  be  suddenly  carried  into  effect,  on  the  termination 
of  Its  existence,  without  serious  inconvenience  to  the  govern- 
ment and  the  people.  Its  vast  amount  of  notes  is  then  to  be 
redeemed  and  withdrawn  from  circulation,  and  its  hnmense 
debt  collected.  These  operations  must  be  gradual,  other- 
wise much  suffering  and  distress  will  be  brought  upori  the 
community.  It  ought  to  be  not  a  work  of  months  only,  but 
of  years,  and  the  president  thinks  it  cannot,  with  due  atten- 
tion to  the  interests  of  the  people,  be  longer  postponed.  It  is 
safer  to  begin  it  too  soon  than  to  delay  it  too  long. 

O.  It  is  for  the  wisdom  of  congress  to  decide  upon  the  best 
substitute  to  be  adopted  in  the  place  of  the  Bank  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  ;  and  the  president  would  have  felt  himself  re- 
lieved from  a  hea\'y  and  painful  responsibility  if,  in  the  charter 
to  the  bank,  congress  had  reserved  to  itself  the  power  of  di- 
recting, at  its  pleasure,  the  public  money  to  be  elsewhere  de 
posited,  and  had  not  devolved  that  power  exclusively  on  one 
of  the  executive  departments.  It  is  useless  now  to  inquire 
why  this  high  and  important  power  was  surrendered  by  those 
who  are  peculiarly  and  appropriately  the  guardians  of  the 
public  money.  Perhaps  it  was  an  oversight.  But  as  the 
president  presumes  that  the  charter  to  the  bank  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  a  contract  on  the  part  of  the  government,  it  is  not 
now  in  the  power  of  congress  to  disregard  its  stipulations  ; 
and  by  the  terms  of  that  contract  the  public  money  is  to  be 
deposited  in  the  bank  during  the  continuance  of  its  charter, 
unless  the  secretary  of  the  treasuiy  shall  otherwise  direct. 
Unless,  therefore,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  first  acts, 
congress  have  no  power  over  the  subject,  for  they  cannot  add 
a  new  clause  to  the  charter,  or  strike  one  out  of  it,  without 
the  consent  of  the  bank  ;  and  consequently  the  public  money 
must  remain  in  that  institution  to  the  last  hour  of  its  exist- 
ence, unless  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  shall  remove  it  at 
ail  earlier  day.     The  responsibility  is  thus  thrown  upon  the 


VI.  I 


WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  171 


executive  branch  of  the  government,  of  deciding  how  long 
before  the  expiration  of  the  charter  the  pubhc  interests  will 
require  the  deposites  to  be  placed  elsewhere  ;  and  although, 
according  to  the  frame  and  principle  of  our  government,  this 
decision  would  seem  more  properly  to  belong  to  the  legisla- 
tive power,  yet,  as  the  law  has  imposed  it  upon  the  executive 
department,  the  duty  ought  to  be  faithfully  and  firmly  met, 
and  the  decision  made  and  executed  upon  the  best  lights  that 
can  be  obtained,  and  the  best  judgment  that  can  be  formed. 
It  would  ill  become  the  executive  branch  of  the  government 
to  shrink  from  any  duty  which  the  law  imposes  on  it,  to  fix 
upon  others  the  responsibility  which  justly  belongs  to  itself. 

P.  And  while  the  president  anxiously  wishes  to  abstain 
from  the  exercise  of  doubtful  powers,  and  to  avoid  all  inter- 
ference with  the  rights  and  duties  of  others,  he  must  yet, 
with  unshaken  constancy,  discharge  his  own  obligations  :  and 
cannot  allow  himself  to  turn  aside,  in  order  to  avoid  any  re- 
sponsibility which  the  high  trust  with  which  he  has  been  hon- 
oured requires  him  to  encounter  ;  and  it  being  the  duty  of 
one  of  the  executive  departments  to  decide,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, subject  to  the  future  action  of  the  legislative  power, 
whether  the  public  deposites  shall  remain  in  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States  until  the  end  of  its  existence,  or  be  withdrawn 
some  time  before,  the  president  has  felt  himself  bound  to  ex- 
amine the  question  carefully  and  deliberately,  in  order  to 
make  up  his  judgment  on  the  subject  ;  and  in  his  opinion  the 
near  approach  of  the  termination  of  the  charter,  and  the  public 
considerations  heretofore  mentioned,  are  of  themselves  amply 
sufficient  to  justify  the  removal  of  the  deposites  without  refer- 
ence to  the  conduct  of  the  bank,  or  their  safety  in  its  keep- 
ing. 

Q.  But  in  the  conduct  of  the  bank  may  be  found  other  rea 
sons  very  imperative  in  their  character,  and  which  require 
prompt  action.  Developments  have  been  made  from  time  to 
tim-e  cf  its  faithlessness  as  a  public  agent,  its  misapphcation 
of  public  funds,  its  interference  in  elections,  its  efforts  by  the 
machinery  of  committees  to  deprive  the  government  dn-ectors 
of  a  full  knowledge  of  its  concerns,  and  above  all,  its  flagrant 
misconduct  as  recently  and  unexpectedly  disclosed  in  pla- 
cing all  the  funds  of  the  bank,  including  the  money  of  the 
government,  at  the  disposition  of  the  president  of  the  bank, 
ns  means  of  operating  upon  public  opinion  and  procuring  a 


172  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

new  charter,  without  requiring  him  to  render  a  voucher  for 
their  disbursement.  A  brief  recapitulation  of  the  facts  which 
justify  these  charges  and  which  have  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  pubhc  and  the  president  will,  he  thinks,  remove  every 
reasonable  doubt  as  to  the  course  which  it  is  now  the  duty  of 
the  president  to  pursue. 

R.  We  nave  seen,  that  in  sixteen  months,  ending  in  May, 
1833,  the  bank  had  extended  its  loans  more  than  28,000,000 
dollars,  although  it  knew  the  government  intended  to  appro- 
priate most  of  Its  large  deposites  during  that  year  in  payment 
of  the  public  debt.  It  was  in  May,  1832,  that  its  loans  arrived 
at  the  maximum,  and  m  the  preceding  March,  so  sensible  was 
the  bank  that  it  would  not  be  able  to  pay  over  the  public  de- 
posites when  it  would  be  required  by  the  government,  that  it 
commenced  a  secret  negotiation,  without  the  approbation  or 
knowledge  of  the  government,  with  the  agents,  for  about 
2,700,000  dollars  of  the  3  per  cent,  stocks  held  in  Holland, 
with  a  view  of  inducing  them  not  to  come  forward  for  pay- 
ment for  one  or  more  years  after  notice  should  be  given  by 
the  treasury  department.  This  arrangement  would  have 
enabled  the  bank  to  keep  and  use  during  that  time  the  pub- 
lic money  set  apart  for  the  payment  of  these  stocks. 

S.  After  this  negotiation  had  commenced,  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury  informed  the  bank  that  it  was  his  intention  to 
pay  off  one-half  of  the  3  per  cents,  on  the  1st  of  the  succeed- 
ing July,  which  amounted  to  about  6,500,000  dollars.  The 
president  of  the  bank,  although  the  committee  of  investi- 
gation was  then  looking  into  its  affairs  at  Philadelphia,  came 
immediately  to  Washington,  and  upon  representing  that  the 
bank  was  desirous  of  accommodating  the  importing  merchants 
at  New- York  (which  it  failed  to  do),  and  undertaking  to  pay 
the  interest  itself,  procured  the  consent  of  the  secretary,  after 
consulting  with  the  president,  to  postpone  the  payment  until 
the  succeeding  1st  of  October. 

T.  Conscious  that  at  the  end  of  that  quarter  the  bank 
would  not  be  able  to  pay  over  the  deposites,  and  that  further 
indulgence  was  not  to  be  expected  of  the  government,  an 
agent  was  despatched  to  England,  secretly  to  negotiate  with 
the  holders  of  the  public  debt  in  Europe,  and  induce  them,  by 
the  offer  of  an  equal  or  higher  interest  than  that  paid  by  the 
government,  to  hold  back  their  claims  for  one  year,  during 
which  the  bank  expected  thus  to  retain  the  use  of  5,000,000 


VI.] 


WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  173 


dollars  of  public  money,  which  the  government  should  set 
apart  for  the  payment  of  that  debt.  The  agent  made  an 
arrangement  on  terms,  in  part,  which  were  in  direct  violation 
of  the  charter  of  the  bank,  and  when  some  incidents  con- 
nected with  this  secret  negotiation  accidentally  came  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  public  and  the  government,  then,  and  not 
before,  so  much  of  it  as  was  palpably  in  violation  of  the  char- 
ter was  disavowed  !  A  modification  of  the  rest  was  attempted, 
with  the  view  of  getting  the  certificates  without  payment  of 
the  money,  and  thus  absolving  the  government  from  its 
liability  to  the  holders.  In  this  scheme  the  bank  was  par- 
tially successful,  but  to  this  day  the  certificates  of  a  portion 
of  these  stocks  have  not  been  paid,  and  the  bank  retains  the 
use  of  the  money. 

U.  This  effort  to  thwart  the  government  in  the  payment 
of  the  public  debt,  that  it  might  retain  the  public  money  to  be 
used  for  their  private  interests,  palliated  by  pretences  notori- 
ously unfounded  and  insincere,  would  have  justified  the 
instant  withdrawal  of  the  public  deposites.  The  negotiation 
itself  rendered  doubtful  the  ability  of  the  bank  to  meet  the 
demands  of  the  treasury,  and  the  misrepresentations  by 
which  it  was  attempted  to  be  justified,  proved  that  no  reliance 
could  be  placed  upon  its  allegations. 

V.  If  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites  presented 
itself  to  the  executive  in  the  same  attitude  that  it  appeared 
before  the  house  of  representatives  at  their  last  session, 
■their  resolution  in  relation  to  the  safety  of  the  deposites  would 
'be  ©jititled  to  more  weight,  although  the  decision  of  the  ques- 
tion of  removal  has  been  confided  by  law  to  another  depart- 
ment of  the  government.  But  the  question  now  occurs, 
attended  by  other  circumstances  and  new  disclosures  of  the 
most  serious  import.  It  is  true  that  in  the  message  of  the 
president,  which  produced  this  inquiry  and  resolution  on  the 
part  of  the  house  of  representatives,  it  was  his  object  to 
obtain  the  aid  of  that  body  in  making  a  thorough  examination 
into  the  conduct  and  condition  of  the  bank  and  its  branches, 
in  order  to  enable  the  executive  department  to  decide  whether 
-the  public  money  was  longer  safe  in  its  hands.  The  limited 
power  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  over  the  subject  dis- 
abled him  from  making  the  investigation  as  fully  and  satis- 
'factorily  as  it  could  be  done  by  a  committee  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  and  hence  the  president  desired  the  assist^ 

PS 


174  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

ance  of  congress  to  obtain  for  the  treasury  department  a  full 
knowledge  of  all  the  facts  which  were  necessary  to  guide  his 
judgment.  But  it  was  not  his  purpose,  as  the  language  of 
his  message  will  show,  to  ask  the  representatives  of  the  peo- 
ple to  assume  a  responsibility  which  did  not  belong  to  them, 
and  relieve  the  executive  branch  of  the  government  from  the 
duty  which  the  law  had  imposed  upon  it.  It  is  due  to  the 
president  that  his  object  in  that  proceeding  should  be  dis- 
tinctly understood,  and  that  he  should  acquit  himself  of  all 
suspicion  of  seeking  to  escape  from  the  performance  of  his 
own  duties,  or  of  desiring  to  interpose  another  body  between 
himself  and  the  people,  in  order  to  avoid  a  measure  which  he 
is  called  upon  to  meet.  But  although,  as  an  act  of  justice 
to  himself,  he  disclaims  any  design  of  soliciting  the  opinion 
of  the  house  of  representatives  in  relation  to  his  own 
duties,  in  order  to  shelter  himself  from  the  responsibility  under 
the  sanction  fif  their  counsel,  yet  he  is  at  all  times  ready  to 
listen  to  the  suggestions  of  the  representatives  of  the  people, 
whether  given  voluntarily  or  upon  solicitation,  and  to  con- 
sider them  with  the  profound  respect  to  which  all  will  admit 
they  are  justly  entitled.  Whatever  may  be  the  consequences, 
however,  to  himself,  he  must  finally  form  his  own  judgment 
where  the  constitution  and  the  law  make  it  his  duty  to  decide, 
and  must  act  accordingly  ;  and  he  is  bound  to  suppose  that 
such  a  course  on  his  part  will  never  be  regarded  by  that  ele- 
vated body  as  a  mark  of  disrespect  to  itself,  but  that  they 
will,  on  the  contrary,  esteem  it  the  strongest  evidence  he  can 
give  of  his  fixed  resolution  conscientiously  to  discharge  his 
duty  to  them  and  the  country. 

W.  A  new  state  of  things  has,  however,  arisen  since  the 
close  of  the  last  session  of  congress,  and  evidence  has  since 
been  laid  before  the  president,  which  he  is  persuaded  would 
have  led  the  house  of  representatives  to  a  ditTerent  con- 
clusion, if  it  had  come  to  their  knowledge.  The  fact  that 
the  bank  controls,  and  in  some  cases  substantially  owns,  and 
by  its  money  supports  some  of  the  leading  presses  of  the 
country,  is  now  more  clearly  established.  Editors  to  whom 
it  loaned  extravagant  sums  in  1831  and  1832,  on  unusual 
time  and  nominal  security,  have  since  turned  out  to  be  in- 
solvents ;  and  to  others,  apparently  in  no  better  condition, 
accommodations  still  more  extravagant,  on  terms  more  un- 


VI.]  WAR   WITH    THE    BANK.  175 

usual,  and  sometimes  without  any  security,  have  also  been 
heedlessly  granted. 

X.  The  allegation  which  has  so  often  circulated  through 
these  channels,  that  the  treasury  was  bankrupt,  and  the 
bank  were  sustaining  it,  when  for  many  years  there  has  not 
been  less  on  an  average  than  six  millions  of  public  money  in 
that  institution,  might  be  passed  over  e,s  a  harmless  mis- 
representation ;  but  when  it  is  attempted  by  substantial  acts 
to  impair  the  credit  of  the  government,  and  tarnish  the 
honour  of  the  country,  such  charges  require  more  serious 
attention.  With  six  millions  of  public  money  in  its  vaults, 
after  having  had  the  use  of  from  five  to  twelve  millions  for 
nine  years,  without  interest,  it  became  the  purchaser  of  a  bill 
drawn  by  our  government  on  that  of  France  for  about 
900,000  dollars,  being  the  first  instalment  of  the  French 
indemnity.  The  purchase-money  was  left  in  the  use  of  the 
bank,  being  simply  added  to  the  treasury  deposites.  The 
bank  sold  the  bill  in  England,  and  the  holder  sent  it  to  France 
^r  collection,  and  arrangements  not  having  been  made  by 
fie  French  government  for  its  payment,  it  was  taken  up  by 
die  agents  of  the  bank  in  Paris  with  the  funds  of  the  bank 
21  their  hands.  Under  these  circumstances  it  has,  through 
is  organs,  openly  assailed  the  credit  of  the  government ; 
and  has  actually  made,  and  persists  in  a  demand  of  15  per 
cent.,  or  15,884,277  dollars  as  damages,  when  no  damage  or 
none  beyond  some  trifling  expense,  has  in  fact  been  sus- 
tained ;  and  when  the  bank  had  in  its  own  possession  in 
deposite  several  millions  of  the  public  money,  which  it  was 
then  using  for  its  own  profit.  Is  a  fiscal  agent  of  the 
government,  which  thus  seeks  to  enrich  itself  at  the  expense 
of  the  public,  worthy  of  further  trust  1 

Y.  There  are  other  important  facts  not  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  the  house  of  representatives,  or  not  known  to  the 
members  at  the  time  they  voted  for  the  resolution. 

Z.  Although  the  charter  and  the  rules  of  the  bank  both 
declared  that  "  not  less  than  seven  directors"  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  the  transaction  of  business,  yet  the  most  important 
business,  even  that  of  granting  discounts  to  any  extent,  is  in- 
trusted to  a  committee  of  five  members,  who  do  not  report  to 
the  board. 

a.  To  cut  off  all  means  of  communication  with  the  gov- 
ernment in  relation  to  its  own  most  important  acts,  at  the 


t76  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

eemmencement  of  the  present  year,  not  one  of  the  govern- 
ment directors  was  placed  on  any  one  committee  ;  and  al- 
though since,  by  an  unusual  remodelling  of  those  bodies, 
gome  of  those  directors  have  been  placed  on  some  of  the 
^committees,  they  are  yet  entirely  excluded  from  the  com- 
mittee of  exchange,  through  which  the  greatest  and  most  ob- 
jectionable Loans  have  been  made. 

b.  When  the  government  directors  made  an  effort  to  bring 
back  the  business  of  the  bank  to  the  board,  in  obedience  to 
Ihe  charter  and  th-e  existing  regulations,  the  board  not  only 
overruled  their  attempt,  but  altered  the  rule,  so  as  to  make 
it  conform  to  the  practice,  in  direct  violation  of  one  of  the 
xnost  important  provisions  jof  the  charter  which  gave  them 
existence. 

c.  It  has  IsEgbeen  known  that  the  president  of  the  bank 
by  his  single  will  originates  and  executes  many  of  the  most 
important  measures  connected  with  the  management  aiMi 
credit  of  the  bank ;  and  that  the  committee,  as  well  as  the 
board  of  directors,  are  left  in  entire  ignorance  of  manv  acts 
done,  and  correspondence  carried  on,  in  their  name,  and  ap- 
parently under  their  authority.  The  fact  has  been  recently 
disclosed,  that  an  unlimited  discretion  has  been,  and  is  now, 
vested  in  the  president  of  the  bank,  to  expend  its  funds  in 
payment  for  preparing  and  circulating  articles,  and  purcha- 
sing pamphlets  and  newspapers,  calculated  by  their  contents 
to  operate  on  elections,  and  secure  a  renewal  of  its  charter. 
It  appears  from  the  official  report  of  the  public  directors,  that 
on  the  30th  of  November,  1830,  the  president  submitted  to 
the  board  an  article  published  in  the  American  Quarterly  Rc- 
<ciew,  containing  favourable  notices  of  the  bank,  and  suggest- 
ing the  expediency  of  giving  it  a  wider  circulation  at  the  ex- 
T)ense  of  the  bank  ;  whereupoD  the  board  passed  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  viz  :— r- 

d.  "  Resolved, — That  the  president  be  authorized  to  take 
euch  measures  in  regard  to  the  circulation  of  the  contents  of 
the  said  article,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  as  he  may  deem 
paost  for  the  inter-est  of  the  bank." 

fi.  By  an  .entry  of  the  minutes  of  the  bank,  dated  March 
the  11th,  1831,  it  appears  that  the  president  had  not  only 
caused  a  large  edition  of  that  article  to  be  issued,  but  had 
also,  before  the  resolution  of  the  30th  of  November  was 
adopted,  procured  to  be  printed  and  widely  circulated  nu' 


VI.]  WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  177 

merous  copies  of  the  reports  of  General  Smith  and  Mr. 
M'Duffie  in  favour  of  the  bank,  and  on  that  day  he  suggested 
the  expediency  of  extending  his  power  to  the  printing  of  other 
articles  which  might  subserve  the  purposes  of  the  institu- 
tion. WTiereupon  the  following  resolution  was  adopted, 
viz  : — 

f.  "  Resolved, — That  the  president  is  hereby  authorized  to 
cause  to  be  prepared  and  circulated  such  documents  and 
papers  as  may  communicate  to  the  people  information  in  re- 
gard to  the  nature  and  operations  of  the  bank." 

g.  The  expenditure  purporting  to  have  been  made  under 
authority  of  these  resolutions,  during  the  years  1831  and 
1832,  were  about  80,000  dollars.  For  a  portion  of  these 
expenditures  vouchers  were  rendered,  from  which  it  appears 
that  they  were  incurred  in  the  purchase  of  some  hundred 
thousand  copies  of  newspapers,  reports  of,  and  speeches 
made  in  congress,  reviews  of  the  veto  message,  and  reviews 
of  speeches  against  the  bank,  &c.  For  another  large  portion 
no  vouchers  whatever  were  rendered,  but  the  various  sums 
were  paid  on  orders  of  the  president  of  the  bank,  making 
reference  to  the  resolutions  of  the  11th  of  March,  1831. 

h.  On  ascertaining  these  facts,  and  perceiving  that  ex- 
penditures of  a  similar  character  were  still  continued,  the 
government  directors  a  few  weeks  ago  offered  a  resolution 
to  the  board  calling  for  a  specific  account  of  these  expendi- 
tures, showing  the  objects  to  which  they  had  been  applied, 
and  the  persons  to  whom  the  money  had  been  paid.  This 
teasonable  proposition  was  voted  down. 

i.  They  also  offered  a  resolution,  rescinding  the  resolutions 
of  November,  1830,  and  March,  1831.  This  was  also  re- 
jected. 

j.  Not  content  with  thus  refusing  to  recall  the  obnoxious 
power,  or  even  to  require  such  an  account  of  the  expendi- 
ture as  would  show  whether  the  money  of  the  bank  had,  in 
fact,  been  applied  to  the  objects  contemplated  by  those  reso- 
lutions, as  obnoxious  as  they  were,  the  board  renewed  the 
power  already  conferred,  and  even  enjoined  renewed  atten- 
tion to  its  exercise,  by  adopting  the  following  in  lieu  of  the 
proposition  submitted  by  the  government  directors  : — 

k.  "  Resolved, — That  the  board  have  confidence  in  the 
wisdom  and  integrity  of  the  president,  and  in  the  propriety 
of  the  resolutions  of  the  30th  of  November,  1830,  and  the 


178  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

11th  of  March,  1831,  and  entertain  a  full  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  a  renewed  attention  to  the  object  of  those 
resolutions,  and  that  the  president  be  authorized  and  re- 
quested to  continue  his  exertions  for  the  promotion  of  the 
said  object." 

1.  Taken  in  connection  with  the  nature  of  the  expenditures 
heretofore  made,  as  recently  disclosed,  which  the  board  not 
only  tolerate  but  approve,  this  resolution  puts  the  funds  of  the 
bank  at  the  disposition  of  the  president,  for  the  purpose  of 
employing  the  whole  press  of  the  country  in  the  service 
of  the  bank,  to  hire  writers  and  newspapers,  and  to  pay  out 
such  sums  as  he  pleases,  to  what  persons  and  for  what  ser- 
vices he  pleases,  without  the  responsibility  of  rendering 
any  specific  account.  The  bank  is  thus  converted  into  a 
vast  electioneering  engine,  with  means  to  embroil  the  coun- 
try in  deadiy  feuds,  and,  under  cover  of  expenditures  in 
themselves  improper,  extend  its  corruption  through  all  the 
ramifications  of  society. 

m.  Some  of  the  items  for  which  accounts  have  been  ren- 
dered, show  the  construction  which  has  been  given  to  the 
resolutions,  and  the  way  in  which  the  power  it  confers  has 
been  exerted.  The  money  has  not  been  expended  merely 
in  the  publication  and  distribution  of  speeches,  reports  of 
committees,  and  of  articles  written  for  the  purpose  of  show- 
ing the  constitutionality  or  usefulness  of  the  bank.  Publi- 
cations have  been  prepared  and  extensively  circulated,  con- 
taining tiie  grossest  invectives  against  the  officers  of  the 
government ;  and  the  money  which  belongs  to  the  stock- 
holders and  to  the  public  has  been  freely  applied  in  efforts 
to  degrade  in  public  estimation  those  who  were  supposed  to 
be  instrumental  in  resisting  the  wishes  of  this  grasping  and 
dangerous  institution.  As  the  president  of  the  bank  has 
not  been  required  to  settle  his  accounts,  no  one  but  himself 
yet  knows  how  much  more  than  the  sum  already  mentioned 
may  have  been  squandered,  and  for  which  a  credit  may 
hereafter  be  claimed  in  his  account,  under  this  most  extra- 
ordinary resolution.  With  these  facts  before  us,  can  we  be 
surprised  at  the  torrent  of  abuse  incessantly  poured  out 
against  all  who  are  supposed  to  stand  in  the  way  of  the 
cupidity  or  ambition  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  ] 
Can  we  be  surprised  at  sudden  and  unexpected  changes  of 
opinion  in  favour  of  an  institution  which   has  millions  to 


VI.  WAR   WITH   THE    BANK.  ITS 

lavish,  and  avows  its  determination  not  to  spare  its  mean§ 
when  they  are  necessary  to  accomplish  its  purposes  1  The 
refusal  to  render  an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  a  part 
of  the  money  expended  has  been  applied,  gives  just  cause 
for  the  suspicion  that  it  has  been  used  for  purposes  which  it 
is  not  deemed  prudent  to  expose  to  the  eyes  of  an  intelligent 
and  virtuous  people.  Those  who  act  justly  do  not  shun  the 
light,  nor  do  they  refuse  explanations  w^hen  the  propriety  of 
their  conduct  is  brought  into  question, 

n.  With  these  facts  before  him,  in  an  official  report  from 
the  government  directors,  the  president  would  feel  that  he 
is  not  only  responsible  for  all  the  abuses  and  corruptions  the 
bank  has  committed,  or  may  commit,  but  almost  an  accom- 
plice in  a  conspiracy  against  that  government  which  he  had 
sworn  honestly  to  administer,  if  he  did  not  take  every  step 
within  his  constitutional  and  legal  power,  likely  to  be  effi- 
cient in  putting  an  end  to  these  enarmities.  If  it  be  possible, 
within  the  scope  of  human  affairs,  to  find  a  reason  for  re- 
moving the  government  deposites,  and  leaving  the  bank  to  its 
own  resources  for  the  means  of  effecting  its  criminal  designs, 
we  have  it  here.  Was  it  expected,  when  the  moneys  of  the 
United  States  were  directed  to  be  placed  in  that  bank,  that 
they  would  be  put  under  the  control  of  one  man,  empowered  to 
spend  millions  without  rendering  a  voucher  or  specifying 
the  object  1  Can  they  be  considered  safe,  with  the  evidence 
before  us,  that  tens  of  thousands  have  been  spent  for  highly 
improper,  if  not  corrupt  purposes,  and  that  the  same  motive 
may  lead  to  the  expenditure  of  hundreds  of  thousands,  and 
even  millions  more  1  And  can  we  justify  ourselves  to  the 
people  by  longer  lending  to  it  the  money  and  power  of  the 
government,  to  be  employed  for  such  purposes  1 

o.  It  has  been  alleged  by  some  as  an  objection  tor  the  re- 
moval of  the  deposites,  that  the  bank  has  the  power,  and  in 
that  event  will  have  the  disposition,  to  destroy  the  state 
banks  employed  by  the  government,  and  bring  distress  upon 
the  country.  It  has  been  the  fortune  o-f  the  president  to  en- 
counter dangers  which  were  represertled  as  equally  alarming, 
and  he  has  seen  them  vanish  before  resolution  and  energy. 
Pictures  equally  appalling  were  paraded  before  him  when 
this  bank  eame  to  demand  a  new  charter.  But  what  was 
the  result^     Has  the  countrv  been  runied,  or   even   dis- 


180  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.         [cHAP. 

tressed  ]  Was  it  ever  more  prosperous  than  since  that  act  1 
The  president  verily  beUeves  the  bank  has  not  the  power  to 
produce  the  calamities  its  friends  threaten.  The  funds 
of  the  government  will  not  be  annihilated  by  being  trans- 
ferred ;  they  will  immediately  be  issued  for  the  benefit  of 
trade,  and  if  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  curtails  its  loans, 
the  state  banks,  strengthened  by  the  public  deposites,  will 
extend  theirs.  WTiat  comes  in  through  one  bank  will  go 
out  through  others,  and  the  equilibrium  will  be  preserved. 
Should  the  bank,  for  the  mere  purpose  of  producing  distress, 
press  its  debtors  more  heavily  than  some  of  them  can  bear, 
the  consequences  will  recoil  upon  itself,  and  in  the  attempts 
to  embarrass  the  countiy,  it  will  only  bring  loss  and  ruin 
upon  the  holders  of  its  own  stock.  But  if  the  president  be- 
heved  the  bank  possessed  all  the  power  which  has  been  at- 
tributed to  it,  his  determination  would  only  be  rendered  the 
more  inflexible.  If,  indeed,  this  corporation  now  holds  in 
its  hands  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  American 
people,  it  is  high  time  to  take  the  alarm.  If  the  despotism 
be  already  upon  us,  and  our  anly  safety  is  in  the  mercy 
of  the  despot,  recent  developments  in  relation  to  his  designs 
and  the  means  he  employs  show  how  necessary  it  is  to 
shake  it  off.  The  struggle  can  never  come  with  less  distress 
to  the  people,  or  under  more  favourable  auspices,  than  at  the 
present  moment. 

p.  All  doubt  as  to  the  willingness  of  the  state  banks  to 
undertake  the  service  of  the  government,  to  the  same  extent, 
and  on  the  same  terms,  as  it  is  now  performed  by  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States,  is  put  to  rest  by  the  report  of  the  agent 
recently  employed  to  collect  information  ;  and  from  that 
willingness  their  own  safety  in  the  operation  may  be  confi- 
dently inferred.  Knowing  their  own  resources  better  than 
they  can  be  known  by  others,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
they  would  be  willing  to  place  themselves  in  a  situ  tion  which 
they  cannot  occupy  without  danger  of  annihilation  or  em- 
barrassment. The  only  consideration  applies  to  the  safety 
of  the  public  funds,  if  deposited  in  those  institutions.  And 
when  it  is  seen  that  the  directors  of  many  of  them  are  not 
only  willing  to  pledge  the  character  and  capital  of  the  corpo- 
rations in  giving  success  to  this  measure,  but  also  their  own 
property  and  reputation,  we  cannot  doubt  that  they,  at  least, 
believe  the  public  deposites  would  be  safe  in  their  manage- 


V,.] 


WAR   WITH   THE   BANK.  181 


ment.  The  president  thinks  that  these  facts  and  circura* 
stances  afford  as  strong  a  guarantee  as  can  be  had  in  human 
affairs  for  the  safety  of  the  public  funds,  and  the  practica- 
bihty  of  a  new  system  of  collection  and  disbursement  through 
the  agency  of  the  state  banks. 

q.  From  all  these  considerations,  the  president  thinks  that 
the  state  banks  ought  immediately  to  be  employed  in  the 
collection  and  disbursement  of  the  public  revenue,  and  the 
fimds  now  in  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  drawn  out  with 
all  convenient  despatch.  The  safety  of  the  public  moneys, 
if  deposited  in  the  state  banks,  must  be  secured  beyond  all 
reasonable  doubts  ;  but  the  extent  and  nature  of  the  security, 
in  addition  to  their  capital,  if  any  be  deemed  necessary,  is  a 
subject  of  detail  to  which  the  treasury  department  will  un- 
doubtedly give  its  anxious  attention.  The  banks  to  be  em- 
ployed must  remit  the  moneys  of  the  government  without 
charge,  as  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  now  does  ;  must 
render  all  the  services  which  that  bank  now  performs  ;  must 
keep  the  government  advised  of  their  situation  by  periodical 
returns  ;  in  fine,  with  any  arrangement  with  the  state  banks, 
the  government  must  not,  in  any  respect,  be  placed  on  a 
worse  footing  than  it  now  is.  The  president  is  happy  to 
perceive,  by  the  report  of  the  agent,  that  the  banks  which 
he  has  consulted  have  in  general  consented  to  perform  the 
service  on  these  terms,  and  that  those  in  New-York  have 
further  agreed  to  make  payments  in  London  without  other 
charge  than  the  mere  cost  of  the  bills  of  exchange. 

r.  It  should  also  be  enjoined  on  any  banks  which  may  be 
employed,  that  it  will  be  expected  of  them  to  facilitate  do- 
mestic exchanges  for  the  benefit  of  internal  commerce  ;  to 
grant  all  reasonable  facilities  to  the  payers  of  the  revenue  ; 
to  exercise  the  utmost  liberality  towards  the  other  state 
banks ;  and  to  do  nothing  uselessly  to  embarrass  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States. 

s.  As  one  of  the  most  serious  objections  to  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States  is  the  power  which  it  concentrates,  care  must 
be  taken,  in  finding  other  agents  for  the  service  of  the  trea- 
sury, not  to  raise  up  another  power  equally  formidable.  Al- 
though it  would  probably  be  impossible  to  produce  such  a  re- 
sult by  any  organization  of  the  state  banks  which  could  be  de- 
vised, yet  it  is  desirable  to  avoid  even  the  appearance.  To  this 
end  it  would  be  expedient  to  assume  no  more  power  over  them, 

Q 


182  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [CHAP. 

and  interfere  no  more  in  their  affairs  than  might  be  absolutely 
necessary  to  the  security  of  the  public  deposites,  and  the 
faithful  performance  of  their  duties  as  agents  to  the  trea- 
sury. Any  interference  by  them  in  the  political  contests  of 
the  country,  with  a  view  to  influence  elections,  ought,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  president,  to  be  followed  by  an  inmrediate 
discharge  from  the  public  service. 

t.  It  is  the  desire  of  the  president  that  the  control  of  the 
banks  and  the  currency  shall,  as  far  as  possible,  be  entirely 
separated  from  the  political  power  of  the  country,  as  well  as 
wrested  from  an  institution  which  has  already  attempted  to 
subject  the  government  to  its  will.  In  his  opinion,  the  action 
of  the  general  government  on  this  subject  ought  not  to 
extend  beyond  the  grant  in  the  constitution,  which  only 
authorizes  congress  "  to  coin  money  and  regulate  the  value 
thereof;"  all  else  belongs  to  the  states  and  the  people,  and 
must  be  regnilated  by  public  opinion  and  the  interests  of 
trade. 

u.  In  conclusion,  the  president  must  be  permitted  to  re- 
mark that  he  looks  upon  the  pending  question  as  of  higher 
consideration  than  the  mere  transfer  of  a  sum  of  money  from 
one  bank  to  another.  Its  decision  may  affect  the  character 
of  our  government  for  ages  to  come.  Should  the  bank  be 
suffered  longer  to  use  the  public  moneys  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  its  purposes,  with  the  proofs  of  its  faithlessness  and 
corruption  before  our  eyes,  the  patriotic  among  our  citizens 
will  despair  of  success  in  struggling  against  its  power,  and 
we  shall  be  responsible  for  entailing  it  upon  our  country  for 
ever.  Viewing  it  as  a  question  of  transcendent  importance, 
both  in  the  principles  and  consequences  it  involves,  the 
president  could  not,  in  justice  to  the  responsibility  which  he 
owes  to  the  country,  refrain  from  pressing  upon  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury  his  view  of  the  considerations  which 
impel  to  immediate  action.  Upon  him  has  been  devolved,  by 
the  constitution  and  the  suffrages  of  the  American  people,  the 
duty  of  superintending  the  operation  of  the  executive  depart- 
ments of  the  government,  and  seeing  that  the  laws  are  faith- 
fully executed. 

V.  In  the  performance  of  this  high  trust,  it  is  his  undoubted 
right  to  express  to  those  whom  the  laws  and  his  own  choice 
have  made  his  associates  in  the  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment, his  opinion  of  their  duties,  under  circumstances  as  they 


VI.] 


WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  183 


arise.  It  is  this  right  which  he  now  exercises.  Far  be  it 
from  him  to  expect  or  require  that  any  member  of  the  cabinet 
should,  at  his  request,  order,  or  dictation,  do  any  act  which 
he  beUeves  unlawful,  or  in  his  conscience  condemns.  From 
them,  and  from  his  fellow-citizens  in  general,  he  desires  only 
that  aid  and  support  which  their  reason  approves  and  their 
conscience  sanctions. 

w.  In  the  remarks  he  has  made  on  this  all-important  ques- 
tion, he  trusts  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  will  see  only 
the  frank  and  respectful  declarations  of  the  opinions  which 
the  president  has  formed  on  a  measure  of  great  national 
interest  deeply  affecting  the  character  and  usefulness  of  his 
administration  ;  and  not  a  spirit  of  dictation,  which  the 
president  would  be  as  careful  to  avoid  as  ready  to  resist. 
Happy  will  he  be  if  the  facts  now  disclosed  produce  uni- 
formity of  opinion  and  unity  of  action  among  the  members 
of  the  administration. 

X.  The  president  again  repeats,  that  he  begs  his  cabinet 
to  consider  the  proposed  measure  as  his  own,  in  the  support 
of  which  he  shall  require  no  one  of  them  to  make  a  sacrifice 
of  opinion  or  principle.  Its  responsibility  has  been  assumed, 
after  the  most  mature  deliberation  and  reflection,  as  necessary 
to  preserve  the  morals  of  the  people,  the  freedom  of  the  press, 
and  the  purity  of  the  elective  franchise,  without  which  all  will 
unite  in  saying  that  the  blood  and  treasure  expended  by  our 
forefathers  in  the  establishment  of  our  happy  system  of 
government,  will  have  been  vain  and  fruitless.  Under  these 
convictions,  he  feels  that  a  measure  so  important  to  the 
American  people  cannot  be  commenced  too  soon,  and  he 
therefore  names  the  1st  day  of  October  next  as  a  period  proper 
for  the  change  of  the  deposites,  or  sooner,  provided  the  neces- 
sary arrangements  with  the  state  banks  can  be  made. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

191.  When  the  Congress  met  in  November,  1833, 
he  announced  to  them  his  determination  to  pursue 
the  course  marked  out  in  this  letter  to  his  cabinet. 
Every  one  knew  the  effect  that  that  course  must 
produce.  The  Bank  of  the  United  States  had  in  cir- 
culation notes  to  the  amount  of  nearly  70,428,070 
dollars ;  for  it  had,  as  we  see  in  the  cabinet  letter, 


184  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.         [cHAP. 

extended  its  issues  by  28  millions  of  dollars,  in  ad- 
dition to  what  it  had  out  before  it  prepared  for  the 
struggle  against  the  president.  Before  that,  it  had 
out  notes  to  the  amount  of  42,402,304  dollars.  Be- 
tween January,  1831,  and  May,  1832,  it  put  out  an  ad- 
ditional 28,025,776  dollars,  though  the  bank  had  been 
apprized  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  government 
to  apply  the  deposites  as  fast  as  possible  to  clear  off 
the  remainder  of  the  public  debt.  This  additional 
28,000,000  were  applied  to  the  hiring  of  newspapers 
by  the  means  of  discounts  ;  to  the  bribing  of  needy 
men  in  every  direction  ;  and  to  the  giving  of  extra- 
ordinary time  for  the  payment  of  the  notes  lent  for 
this  nefarious  purpose.  The  parties  thus  borrowing 
of  the  bank  saw  ruin  staring  them  in  the  face  if  the 
charter  werQ  not  renewed  ;  and  this  made  them  in- 
trigue and  work  in  all  sorts  of  ways,  to  prevent  the 
re-election  of  the  president,  because  if  he  were  re- 
elected the  charter  would  not  be  renewed.  If,  how- 
ever,  the  president  were  elected,  perilous  indeed 
was  the  state  of  the  bank  ;  for,  with  its  immense 
issues,  it  would  be  utterly  unable  to  give  up  the  de- 
posites to  enable  the  nation  to  pay  off  its  debt.  By 
a  reference  to  paragraphs  r,  s,  t,  and  u,  of  the  letter, 
the  reader  will  see  the  nature  of  the  nefarious  tran- 
saction which  the  bank  resorted  to  in  conjunction 
with  its  allies  in  England;  and  he  will  see  how  ne- 
cessary it  was,  even  for  the  support  of  the  independ- 
ence of  the  country,  that  a  man  like  this  should  be 
placed  at  the  head  of  its  affairs. 

192.  It  will  be  easily  imagined,  that  the  re-elec- 
tion of  the  president  (in  the  fall  of  1832),  which,  let 
it  be  observed,  expressed  decidedly  the  opinion  of 
the  people  in  support  of  his  views  as  to  the  bank  ; 
it  will  be  easily  imagined  what  confusion  this  must 
have  created  in  the  camp  of  the  paper-money  ma- 
kers. That  confusion  extended  itself  into  every 
part  of  the  union  instantly  :  for  that  system  of 
having  "  branch  banks,"  which  has  been  imitated  by 


VI.]  WAR    WITH    THE    BANK.  185 

our  hig  bank  in  England,  had  placed  the  whole 
country  under  the  command  of  the  big-  bank  in 
America.  The  strife  at  the  election  was  prodigious  ; 
but  the  industrious  part  of  the  community,  long  op- 
pressed by  the  crafty  robbery  of  the  banks,  had  the 
sense  to  perceive,  that  to  be  deUvered  from  this 
worst  of  tyranny  they  must  stand  by  the  president ; 
they  had  the  virtue  to  stand  by  him,  and  their  efforts 
were  crowned  with  success. 

193.  At  the  time  appointed  by  himself,  he  re- 
moved the  deposites  from  the  bank  ;  that  is  to  say, 
in  the  month  of  October,  1833  ;  the  bank  was  com- 
pelled to  draw  in  its  issues  ;  compelled  to  withhold 
its  discounts  ;  its  branches  were  compelled  to  do  the 
same  ;  and  the  consequence  has  been,  bankruptcies 
all  over  the  country  ;  a  tremenduous  bursting  of  the 
bubble,  a  return,  in  great  part  alread3%  to  hard  mo- 
ney ;  a  sweeping  away  of  banks,  bankers,  and 
clerks ;  a  cessation  of  the  robbery  of  the  indus- 
trious, and  of  sustaining  innumerable  idlers  upon  the 
fruit  of  their  toil.  Our  intelligence  comes  down  to 
the  16th  of  February,  1834,  at  which  time  numerous 
deputations  and  delegations  of  merchants,  of  manu- 
facturers, of  master  mechanics,  had  been  to  the  presi- 
dent to  supplicate  a  relaxation  of  his  determination 
and  proceedings.  To  all  he  has  given  the  uniform 
answer,  that  the  happiness  of  his  country,  the  preser- 
vation of  its  constitution  and  its  liberties,  its  indepen- 
dence of  foreign  nations,  command  him  to  persevere ; 
and  that  to  persevere  he  is  determined,  and  that 
nothing  upon  earth  shall  make  him  alter  that  deter- 
mination. 

194.  In  England  it  was  said,  and  generally  be- 
lieved, from  the  month  of  November  last  until  very 
recently  (March,  1834),  that  he  would  be  induced  or 
compelled  to  yield.  Knowing  the  monster  with 
which  he  had  to  contend,  I  myself  had  fears  upon 
the  subject ;  but  I  had  not  then  read  that  account  of 
his  life  which  I  now  have  read ;  and  an  abridgment 


180  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

and  remoulding  of  which  I  now  submit  to  my  own 
countrymen-  If  I  had  read  that  life  before,  I  should 
h'.ive  had  no  fear  at  all ;  and  by  whomsoever  that  life 
shall  be  read,  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  can  be  enter- 
tained that  the  president  will  never  cease  his  efforts 
till  he  has  totEilly  suppressed  that  fraudulent,  that 
robbing,  that  accursed  paper-money,  which  has 
steeped  England  in  her  present  troubles,  and  her 
more  than  half  revolution,  and  which  would,  in  a 
.short  time,  in  a  very  few  years,  have  compelled  the 
United  States  to  resort  to  another  revolution,  or  to 
have  abandoned  and  levelled  with  the  earth  every 
institution  and  every  law  which  have  been  made  for 
the  purpose  of  preserving  the  independence  and  the 
liberties  of  the  country. 

PERSdN  AND  CHARACTER  OF  THE 
PRESIDENT. 

195.  We  are  naturally  curious  to  know  something 
about  the  mere  person  of  a  man  who  has  performed 
such  wonderful  exploits.  Philosophers  may  say 
what  they  will  about  the  man  consisting  solely  of 
the  mind.  Human  nature  will  not  have  it  so.  It 
will,  in  spite  of  philosophers,  give  a  good  deal  of 
weight  to  the  person  by  whom  a  thing  is  done, 
Jackson  has  this  advantage  also.  His  friend  and 
brother  senator,  and  neighbour,  Mr.  Eaton,  tells  us, 
that  he  has  nothing  of  the  robust  or  the  elegant ; 
that  he  is  six  feet  and  an  inch  high  ;  that  he  is  re- 
markably straight  and  spare ;  that  he  weighs  not 
more  than  a  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds  (what  a 
poor  thing  compared  to  our  George  the  Fourth  !)  ; 
that  his  conformation  appears  to  disqualify  him  for 
hardship ;  that,  however,  accustomed  to  it  from  early 
life,  few  are  capable  of  enduring  so  much  fatigue,  or 
with  so  little  injury;  that  his  dark-blue  eyes,  beneath 
his  high  and  broad  forehead,  and  loaded  with  brows 
somewhat  heavy,  when  excited  by  any  cause,  sparkle 


VI.]  POSTSCRIPT.  187 

with  peculiar  lustre  of  penetration ;  that  in  his 
manners  he  is  pleasing,  while  his  address  is  com- 
manding; that  in  his  deportment  he  is  easy,  affable, 
and  familiar ;  that  during  his  whole  life  it  has  been 
his  study  to  honour  merit,  find  it  in  whom  he  might ; 
that  honest  poverty  has  always  been  respected  by 
him,  while  he  has  turned  his  back  on  dishonest 
wealth ;  that  he  was  never  known  to  discover  the 
existence  of  distress  without  seeking  to  assist  and 
to  relieve  it ;  that  no  man  ever  saw  him  irritated  on 
account  of  a  selfish  purpose ;  and  that  no  man  ever 
saw  his  bosom  swell  with  rage  or  with  anger,  ex- 
cept  against  the  enemies  of  his  country,  open  or 
secret. 

196.  The  portrait,  which  is  prefixed  to  the  head 
of  this  work,  gives  us,  I  dare  say,  a  pretty  accurate 
description  of  the  person  of  this  celebrated  man  ; 
and  that  the  person  itself  may  exist  until  he  has  de- 
livered his  country  from  the  monster  which  has  so 
long  been  tearing  it  to  pieces,  is  the  present 
prayer  of 

Wm.  COBBETT. 


POSTSCRIPT. 

197.  I  thought  I  had,  in  the  dedication  or  the 
preface,  done  justice  to  the  Irish  people,  relative  to 
the  deeds  of  this  famous  man,  who  sprang  from 
among  them.  But,  having  since  looked  into  the 
peerage  of  Packenham,  and  finding  what  he  w^as, 
what  honours  had  been  heaped  upon  him,  who  died 
in  the  midst  of  disgrace  unparalleled  ;  for  all  the 
disgrace  was  his,  as  all  the  honour  would  have  been 
his.  The  valour  that  takes  a  man  up  to  an  intrench- 
ment,  or  makes  him  the  first  to  enter  a  breach,  is 
of  a  character  not  a  thousandth  part  equal  to  that 
of  a  bulldog.     Many  hundreds  of  his  soldiers  went 


188  LIFE  OF  JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

nearer  to  the  mouths  of  the  American  muskets  than 
he  did  :  it  is  the  valour  which  discovers  itself  in  cool 
moments  and  day-after-day  reflections,  and  comes, 
at  last,  to  conclusions,  such  as  are  in  so  many,  many 
instances,  recorded  of  this  famous  American  gene- 
ral. My  readers  have  seen  with  what  delight  I  have 
recorded  the  triumphs  of  this  man.  First,  for  his 
own  sake  :  secondly,  because  he  is  descended  im- 
mediately from  poor  Irish  parents  :  thirdly,  because 
he  was  so  basely  and  infamously  treated  by  British 
oflJicers,  at  the  early  part  of  the  American  revolu- 
tionary war :  but,  above  all  things,  because  he  sprang 
immediately  from  poor  Irish  parents.  The  circum- 
stances stated  by  me  relative  to  this  matter  are  very 
striking  ;  but,  until  I  saw  the  peerage  of  the  antago- 
nist whom  he  laid  sprawling  upon  the  ground, — until 
1  saw  this  peerage,  this  bragging,  this  boasting  peer- 
ige,  I  had  not  the  means  of  making  the  contrast  so 
striking  as  it  ought  to  be  made.  Let  us  take  him, 
then,  as  he  is  described  by  the  heralds  of  his  family, 
copied  from  the  peerage  itself.  It  is  a  thing  for 
eternal  laughter  ;  a  thing  which  every  democrat 
should  have  about  him,  and  when  he  has  read  it,  he 
will  not  forget  to  exclaim,  "  All  this  was  smashed 
to  pieces  in  a  moment  by  the  son  of  poor  Irish  emi- 
grant parents,  the  mother  of  whom  had  urged  this 
son  to  avenge  the  cause  of  Ireland." 

198.  I  will  now  insert  from  the  peerage,  and  when 
I  have  done  that,  I  shall  have  some  remarks  to  add. 

199.  "  William  de  Pakenhayn  was  resident  at  Pak- 
enham,  co.  Suffolk,  temp.  Edward  I.  ;  his  eldest  son, 
Sir  Edmund  Pakenham,m.,  tempt.  Edward  II.,  Rose, 
daughter  and  co-heir  of  Robert  de  Valines,  from 
whom  descended  Sir  Hugh  Pakenham,  who  d.  temp, 
Henry  VII.,  leaving  issue,  1.  Sir  John  Pakenham, 
whose  only  daughter  and  sole  heir,  Constance,  car- 
ried the  estate  of  Lordinsfton,  co.  Sussex,  to  her 
husband  Sir  Geoffry  de  la  Pole,  knight,  second  son 
of  Sir  Richard  de  la  Pole,  K.  G.,  by  Margaret  Plan- 


VI.]  POSTSCRIPT.  189 

tagenet,  Countess  of  Salisbury,  only  daughter  of 
George,  Duke  of  Clarence,  brother  to  Edward  IV. ; 

2.  JSicholas,   ancestor    of    the    Earls  of  Longford  \ 

3.  Anne,  m.  Sir  William  Sydney,  knight  banneret, 
by  whom  she  was  mother  of  Sir  Henry  Sydney, 
K.  G.,  Lord  Deputy  of  Ireland.  Sir  Edward  Pak- 
enham,  knt.,  grandson  of  Nicholas,  accompanied 
his  cousin,  Sir  Henry  Sydney,  to  Ireland,  1576, 
whose  grandson,  Henry  Pakenham,  was  seated  at 
Pakenham  Hall,  co.  Westmeath,  temp.  Charles  II., 
and  was  father  of  Sir  Thomas  Pakenham,  knt.,  of 
Pakenham  Hall,  prime  serjeant  at  law,  1695,  whose 
son  and  heir,  Edward  Pakenham,  of  Pakenham 
Hall,  knight  of  the  shire,  co.  Westmeath,  1713,  was 
father  of 

200.  "  Thomas  Pakenham,  1st  lord,  h.  May,  1713, 
m.,  March  5,  1739,  Elizabeth,  sole  heiress  of  Michael 
Cuffe,  Esq.,  nephew  and  heir  of  Ambrose  Aungier, 
last  earl  of  Longford,  and  in  right  of  his  wife  was 
created,  1756,  baron  of  Longford,  and  had  issue  by 
her  (who  was  created  July,  5, 1785,  countess  oi Long- 
ford), 1.  Edward-Michael,  2d  lord;  2.  Robert,  in  the 
army,  who  d.  unm.,  1775  ;  3.  William,  d.  young ;  4. 
Thomas,  b.  1757,  an  admiral  of  the  white,  m.  1785, 
Louisa,  daughter  of  the  right  hon.  John  Staples,  and 
has  issue  six  sons  and  four  daughters;  5.  Ehzabeth, 
h.  1742 ;  6.  Frances,  m.  June,  1776,  John  Ormsby 
Vandeleur,  Esq.,  Rndd.  1779,  leaving  issue,  7.  Helena, 
m.  June,  1769,  William  Sherlock,  of  Sherlock's-town, 
Esq.,  and  d.  1774,  leaving  issue  by  him  (who  d.  1788), 
Mary,  m.  1770,  Thomas  Fortescue,  Esq.,  and  d.  1775, 
leaving  issue.  His  lordship  d.  April  20, 1776,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son, 

201.  "  Edward-Michael,  2d  lord,  b.  April  1,  1743, 
m.,  June  25,  1768,  Catharine,  2d  daughter  of  the 
Right  Hon.  Hercules-Longford  Rowley,  by  Elizabeth, 
viscountess  Longford,  and  by  her  (who  d.  March  12, 
1816)  had  issue,  1.  Thomas,  present  earl;  2.  Sir Ed- 

.toard  Michaely  G.  C.  B.y  major-general  in  the  army,  and 


190  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

colonel  6th  West  India  regiment,  who,  Nov.  8, 1813, 
received  the  vnanimous  thanks  of  both  houses  of  Parlia- 
ment for  the  valour,  steadiness,  and  exertion  so  suc- 
cessfully displayed  by  him,  in  repelling  the  repeated 
attacks  made  on  the  positions  of  the  allied  army  by 
the  whole  of  the  F'rench  force  under  the  command 
of  Marshal  Soult,  between  the  25lh  of  July  and  1st 
of  August :  b.  March  19,  1778,  killed  in  action  near 
New-Orleans,  in  America,  Jan.  8,  1815,  to  whose 
memory  a  monument  is  erected  in  the  cathedral  of  St. 
Paul,  at  the  public  expense  ;  3.  Hercules-Robert, 
C.  B.,  b.  Sept.  29.  1781,  lieut.-colonel  in  the  army, 
severely  wounded  at  Badajos,  1812,  w.,  Dec,  1817, 
Emily  Stapleton,  daughter  of  Thomas,  Lord  Le  De- 
spencer  ;  4.  William,  Z>.  Sept.  20, 1782,  captainR.N., 
who  was  unfortunately  drowned  in  his  majesty's 
frigate  Saldaiia,  near  Lough  S willy,  Ireland,  Dec.  4. 
1811 ;  5.  Henry,  in  holy  orders,  b.  Aug.  23,  1787  ;  6. 
Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  1769,  m.  Henry  Stewart,  Esq.  ;  7. 
Mary,  d.  1787;  8.  Catharine  m.,  April  10,  1806,  field- 
marshal  Arthur,  Duke  of  Wellington,  K.  G.;  K  T.  S., 
and  K.  F.,  brother  to  Richard,  Marquis  of  Wellesley, 
K.  G.,  K.  C,  and  K.  L.  S.  {See  Duke  of  Wellington^ 
in  the  Peerage  of  England,  and  Marquis  of  Wellesley, 
in  the  Peerage  of  Ireland) ;  9.  Helen;  10.  Caroline- 
Penelope.  His  lordship  d.  June  3,  1792,  when  his 
son, 

202.  "  Thomas  succeeded  to  the  barony,  and  on 
the  death  of  his  grandmother,  January,  1794,  he  suc- 
ceeded to  the  earldom,  and  is  the  present  peer. 

203.  "  Heir-apparent — Lord  Pakenham,  the  earl's 
only  son. 

204.  '^Creations — Baron  Pakenham,  1756;  Earl, 
June  20,  1785. 

205.  "  Motto — Gloria  virtutis  umbra — Glory  is  the 
shadow  of  virtue." 

206.  Here  is  a  pretty  story :  here  is  a  rigmarole 
this  is  the   sort  of  way  in  which  the  base  part  of 
mankind  are  held  in  subjection.    Here  is  as  great 


VI.]  POSTSCRIPT.  191 

a  piece  of  work  in  recording  the  lineage  of  this  gang 
of  people,  as  if  each  individual  of  them  had  per- 
formed exploits  equal  to  those  of  Jackson.  Why, 
it  nmst  give  one  pleasure  ;  it  must  fill  one  wnth  de- 
light to  see  such  contemptible  rubbish  brought  to 
the  test,  and  to  be  proved  to  be  not  worth  a  straw. 
We  see  here  that  our  particular  hero  had  received 
the  unanimous  thanks  of  the  House  of  Commons.  And 
for  what  was  it !  For  his  valour,  &c.  in  repelling 
repeated  attacks  made  on  the  positions  of  the  allied 
army.  This  is  a  veiy  unsatisfactory  description. 
Here  is  no  deed  done  ;  no  strong  place  captured ; 
no  army  beaten,  but  merely  attacks  repelled.  Very- 
doubtful  words  ;  and  a  pretty  House  of  Commons  it 
must  have  been,  to  have  voted  its  unanimous  thanks 
to  a  man  upon  grounds  so  very  equivocal ;  and,  in- 
deed, who  does  not  perceive  that  if  he  had  been  the 
son  of  a  common  man,  he  would  have  had  no  thanks 
at  all  ]  Yes,  yes  ;  the  "  French  force  ;"  he  could 
do  very  well  with  the  French  force  ;  but  it  was 
another  matter  when  he  came  to  do  with  an  Ameri- 
can force,  though  it  was  only  about  a  seventh  part 
of  his  own. 

207.  Mark,  too,  the  curious  way  in  which  his 
death  is  mentioned  ;  "  Killed  in  action^  near  New- 
Orleans,  in  America,  January  8th,  1815,  to  whose 
memory  a  monument  is  erected  in  the  cathedral  of 
St.  Paul,  at  the  public  expense."  Now  observe, 
first,  that  you  do  not  know  whether  he  was  com- 
mander or  not ;  second,  whether  those  on  his  side 
were  the  victors  or  not;  third,  whether  it  was  a 
battle  fought  for  the  purpose  of  taking  New-Orleans 
or  for  defending  it,  or  whether  it  was  for  any  other 
object ;  but  taking  into  view  the  fact  immediately  fol- 
lowing, that  he  had  a  monument  erected  immediately 
to  his  memory  in  St.  Paul's,  at  the  public  expense, 
and  is  there  one  single  man  in  this  world,  who, 
being  unacquainted  with  the  facts,  would  not  believe 
that  he  lost  his  life  in  the  arms  of  victory  in  a  battle 
which  happened  to  take  place  near  the  city  of  New 


192  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [cHAP. 

Orleans,  in  America.  Thus  it  is  that  the  people  of 
England  have  been  basely  betrayed  and  insulted  and 
cheated.  Not  one  man  in  ten  thousand,  or  in  fift)'' 
thousand,  knows  to  this  day  that  this  Packenham 
was  selected  for  this  enterprise  ;  that  the  army  and 
the  navy  were  all  ready  long  before  his  arrival ; 
that  they  waited  for  that  arrival  to  begin  operations  • 
that  the  force  was  so  great,  the  supplies  so  large, 
so  superabundant  in  every  respect ;  an  outfit  costing 
more  than  a  million  of  money ^  and  this  for  the  double 
object  of  carrying  the  city,  and  puffing  Packenham 
into  a  lord.  And  what  did  he  do  when  he  got  there  ! 
The  very  things  that  Jackson  wanted  him  to  do ; 
and,  at  last,  after  having  given  Jackson  one  speci- 
men of  his  ability  at  assaulting,  he  really  put  all  to 
the  hazard  of  an  assault ;  but,  curious  to  relate,  not 
one  hour  before  Jackson  was  perfectly  ready  for 
him.  He  had  intelligence  constantly  from  the  city  : 
he  knew  precisely  the  situation  of  Jackson  :  he 
knew  that  his  whole  force,  his  whole  alliance  was 
but  about  three  thousand  men,  armed  with  muskets 
and  rifles.  He  was  duly  apprized  that  these  men 
were  stationed  behind  a  parapet  of  bags  of  cotton 
and  of  barrels  of  sugar  and  of  flour,  but  particularly 
the  former :  he  could  see  with  his  glasses  the  cotton- 
bales,  as  plainly  as  I  can  see  this  paper :  he  knew 
that  rifles  were  behind  them  ;  and  he  had  the  stu- 
pidity to  believe  that  the  Yankees  would  run  away 
at  the  approach  of  his  glittering  army,  and  leave  that 
army  to  vault  over  the  cotton-bags.  Common  sense 
dictated  to  him  to  erect  batteries,  and  to  tear  away 
at  the  parapet ;  to  annoy,  to  fatigue,  to  exhaust ;  to 
take  the  chances  of  successful  rebellion  against 
Jackson;  at  any  rate,  there  was  one  thing  which  was 
downright  madness,  and  that  was  what  he  did.  To 
march  up  in  columns,  close  to  the  cotton-bags,  carry 
scaling-ladders  to  climb  up  with,  and  to  imagine  that 
he  was,  in  the  face  of  those  Yankees,  thus  going  to 
get  over  those  cotton-bags.     Every  man  of  com- 


TI.]  POSTSCRIPT.  193 

mon  sense  must  have  known,  that  certain  death 
would  come  pouring  over  those  cotton-bags.  When 
the  columns  approached,  all  was  still  on  Jackson's 
side  of  the  cotton-bags  :  not  a  shot  was  fired  :  not 
the  smallest  demonstration  of  resistance  shown  : 
the  columns  marched  up  to  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
edge  of  the  ditch  :  then  came  the  bullets  :  then 
came  the  buck-shot:  then  came  the  destructive  con- 
tents of  the  rifles  ;  and  the  plain  was  instantly  cov- 
ered with  the  dead.  Jackson  had  more  men  than 
he  had  rifles  and  muskets.  Those  who  had  no  arms 
loaded  for  those  who  had  arms  ;  so  that  the  fire  was 
one  incessant  volley  ;  and  out  of  the  four  generals, 
the  chief  fell  dead,  and  two  others  were  dangerously 
wounded.  I  dare  say  that  the  moment  Jackson  saw 
those  columns  marching  over  the  plain  to  come  up 
to  his  parapet,  that  he  felt  as  sure  of  the  result  as 
he  did  after  it  had  taken  place.  This  was  a  some- 
thing to  make  the  nation  pay  for  a  monument  for 
this  man,  and  in  St.  Paul's  too.  But  it  is  no  matter  : 
if  a  commander  belongs  to  any  of  these  people, 
beaten  or  not  beaten,  so  that  he  die,  he  is  sure  to 
have  a  monument  to  his  memory  at  the  people's  ex- 
pense, in  order  to  keep  up  the  blaze  of  these  fami- 
lies. It  was  well  for  this  poor  fellow  that  he  was 
killed  :  if  he  could  have  made  shift  to  hobble  oif 
with  his  beating,  I  have  no  question  that  he  would 
have  had  the  thanks  of  the  House  of  Commons,  as 
I  believe  Cockburn  had,  for  his  work  on  the  coast 
of  Virginia. 

208.  Burke  called  nobility  "  the  cheap  defence  of 
nations."  Look  at  our  half-pay  list ;  look  at  our 
pension-list ;  look  at  the  retired-allowance  list ;  look 
at  this  very  family  of  Packenham.  We  find  that 
this  man  had  nine  brothers  and  sisters ;  one  a  lieu- 
tenant-colonel in  the  army ;  one  a  captain  in  the 
navy ;  one  in  the  church  :  so  far  for  the  men  ;  and 
as  to  the  women,  I  could  be  bound  to  find  them  all 
out  if  1  had  time ;  but  we  know  that  one  of  them 

R 


194  LIFE    OF    JACKSON.  [ciIAP. 

was  the  wife  of  Wellington.  A  pretty  dearish  de- 
fence of  nations,  I  should  think,  all  this.  But,  not  to 
waste  any  more  words  upon  the  subject,  here  we 
have  all  this  swaggering  nobility,  this  hunting  down 
from  "  William  de  Pakenham,''^  in  the  time  of  Ed^ 
ward  the  First  to  the  present  time  ;  and  only  think 
of  their  publishing  their  mottoes :  "  Gloria  virtutis 
umbra,''''  that  is  to  say,  "  Glory  is  the  shadow  of  vir- 
tue ;"  a  saying  which  we  can  hardly  understand  the 
meaning  of;  but  the  more  senseless,  the  more  it  ex- 
cites the  cogitating  wonderment  of  stupid  and  base 
people.  When  a  public  robber  gets  into  a  carriage 
with  three  or  four  Latin  words  written  on  it,  and 
with  the  other  insignia  which  he  chooses  to  have 
put,  all  the  base  part  of  the  people,  and  that  is  not  a 
small  part,  leok  upon  him  as  something  or  other  a 
wonderful  deal  better  than  themselves.  Now,  un- 
less this  feeling  be  changed  t  unless  the  people  be 
cured  of  this  baseness,  nothing  that  can  be  done  by 
men,  even  the  most  able,  and  industrious,  and  zeal- 
ous, will  ever  render  them  better  off  than  they  now 
are.  However,  that  which  I  have  here  exhibited 
will  do  real  good  in  America ;  it  will  make  the  people 
there  resolve  to  guard  against  all  the  crafty  and  subtle 
approaches  of  aristocracy,  which  has  always  been 
begun  by  suffering  wealth  to  be  drawn  into  a  small 
number  of  hands.  When  once  that  is  done,  then 
the  titling  work  begins  ;  and  then  come  all  the  curses 
under  which  we  are  now  labouring.  I  shall  be  told 
that  I  have  always  been  an  advocate  for  a  govern- 
ment of  king,  lords,  and  commons,  and  for  bishops 
seated  among  the  lords.  Now,  this  is  very  true  ; 
and  my  argument  always  has  been  that  those  things 
could  not  be  bad  in  their  nature,  along  with  which 
co-existed  such  wise  and  just  laws ;  so  much  free- 
dom, so  much  power,  possessed  by  so  comparatively 
small  a  country ;  and  such  an  immense  mass  of  na- 
tional resources  of  all  sorts,  together  with  a  degree 
of  reputation  for  integrity,  frankness,  and  all  pubhc 


TI.]  POSTSCRIPT.  195 

virtue,  never  surpassed  by  any  other  nation,  and,  in- 
deed, never  any  thing  like  equalled. 

209.  Well,  then,  ought  you  not  to  cherish  these 
orders  now  ]  Are  they  not  what  they  always 
were  ]     Have  we  not  still  dukes,  marquises,  earls, 

just  as  in  the  time  of 1     Stop ;  yes, 

my  friend,  we  have  dukes,  marquises,  earls,  and  so 
forth  still ;  but  those  that  we  have  now  are  no  more 
like  those  in  former  times,  than  a  French  crab  is  like 
a  Newtown  pippin  ;  or  than  a  Catherine  peach  (many 
degrees  baser  than  a  white  turnip),  is  like  a  French 
mignon  or  an  early  Montauhan.  A  peach  is  a  peach  ; 
and  as  words,  mere  words,  are  quite  sufficient  for 
the  more  numerous  and  baser  part  of  mankind,  to 
keep  the  word  is  all  that  has  been  thought  neces- 
sary. 

210.  Well,  but  in  ivhat  do  the  present  lords  differ 
from  the  lords  of  former  times  ?  In  every  thing ; 
except  in  the  shape  of  their  bodies,  and  the  manner 
of  receiving  their  nutriment,  though  even  in  this 
latter  I  do  not  know  that  I  am  not  admitting  too 
much.  The  people  of  England,  when  called  out  in 
the  wars,  and  especially  in  defence  of  their  country, 
were  commanded  by  the  lords  ;  and  observe,  the 
lords  found  them  their  arms,  and  their  clothing,  and 
their  provisions,  and  their  money  for  the  service,  out 
of  their  own  pockets  and  estates.  It  was  the  busi- 
ness of  the  lords  each  one  to  protect  his  people  from 
wrong;  to  see  that  they  had  fair  play;  they  were 
their  advocates  in  courts  of  justice  ;  pleading  their 
causes  in  their  persons,  and  always  for  nothing. 
There  was  no  such  thing  as  a  tax  for  a  poor  or 
working  man  to  pay,  nor  ever  heard  of  to  pay,  of 
any  sort  or  kind.  The  bishops  and  abbots  were  in 
parliament  to  take  care  that  the  poor  were  not  plun- 
dered of  their  patrimony  ;  and  thus  it  was  that  no- 
bility was  "  the  cheap  defence  of  nations.''^ 

211.  What  do  we  behold  now]      Every  great 
family,  as  it  is  called,  not  paying  for  warriors  to 


196  LIFE    OF    JACKSON. 

come  forth  to  defend  the  country ;  but  making  the 
people  pay  them,  men,  women,  and  children,  to  the 
amount  of  thousands,  and  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands !  In  short,  it  is  a  prodigious  band  of  spungers, 
living  upon  the  labour  of  the  industrious  part  of  the 
community,  and  making  the  people  pay  them,  and 
men  that  they  enlist ;  the  object  of  having  such  men 
in  pay  and  armed  with  bayonets,  can  be  hidden  from 
nobody  in  this  world  but  an  idiot :  a  nobility,  not  pay- 
ing the  people  to  come  out,  and  furnishing  them  with 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  clothing  them,  to  defend 
the  country  ;  but  a  nobility,  actually  living  upon  the 
sweat  of  the  people,  and  passing  laws  at  the  same 
time  to  transport  the  very  same  people,  if  caught  in 
pursuit  of  pheasant,  partridge,  or  hare  !  While  (oh, 
gracious  God  !)  these  same  people,  still  calling  them- 
selves nobility,  are  breeding  those  wild  animals  for 
the  purpose  of  feeding  the  wretches  in  London  whom 
they  support  in  the  demanding  and  the  receiving  of 
three  days'  work  instead  of  one  ! 

212.  However,  either  the  people  of  England  see  all 
this,  or  they  do-not :  if  the  latter,  they  are  too  blind 
to  have  the  character  of  humanity  imputed  to  them  ; 
they  are  absolutely  brutes ;  for  brutes  any  treat- 
ment is  good  enough,  so  that  it  does  not  lacerate, 
starve,  or  knock  on  the  head.  If  the  people  of 
England  do  see  it  in  its  true  light ;  and  yet,  if  they 
think  nothing  of  these  things,  compared  with  corn- 
bill  nonsense,  or  heddekashun  ;  if  this  be  their  taste  ; 
if  they  throw  away  the  substance  to  amuse  them- 
selves with  the  shadow,  and  will  elect  Captain  Swal- 
low-Pension and  reject  a  man  that  scorns  to  deceive 
them  ;  then  let  them  suffer  ;  and  my  consolation  is, 
that  I  will  not  suffer  along  with  them  '. 

Wm.  Cobbett. 


THE    END. 


^ 


